Half day transport strike in Dhaka

A half-day transport strike was in effect in Dhaka on Monday adding to the misery of commuters.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 6 May 2013, 00:08 AM
Updated : 6 May 2013, 00:09 AM

The strike was called protesting the death of a transport worker who died during clashes between the Hifazat-e-Islam and police on Sunday.

Only a few state-owned BRTC buses were seen plying streets. Some ‘staff buses’ of various institutions were also seen.

Office-goers were seen crowding at key bus stops throughout the city. Many were seen walking to respective destinations, bdnews24.com Correspondents reported.
Hundreds headed for offices were seen waiting at Banglamotor, Kawran Bazar, Farmgate and Mohakhali around 8:30am. Many from Kawran Bazar was seen walking to respective offices in Motijheel, Paltan and Gulistan.
The strike will be effective until 12 noon, Dhaka road transport association General Secretary Khandaker Enayetullah told bdnews24.com. After the strike, a Namaj-e-Janaza will be held at Phulbaria for the deceased Siddiqur Rahman.
A procession will be brought out after the Janaza to protest the killing, he added.
On Sunday, up to 15 home-made bombs were exploded near Awami League headquarters at Bangabandhu Avenue around 1:45pm and Hifazat supporters damaged at least 15 vehicles there.
At one point, they tried to attack the Awami League office but were stopped by the ruling party activists.
Police lobbed teargas shells and fired rubber bullets continously to bring the situation under control.
During this time, a bus used by the police was set on fire fire and its helper Siddiqur Rahman, 28, was hit on the face by bullets.
The bus driver Jewel told bdnews24.com that Siddiqur was near the stadium when he was hit. He succumbed while on the way to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.