Transport strike called from Sunday

The bus and coach owners’ association of southern Bangladesh has announced an indefinite transport strike starting from Sunday in protest against vandalism and the torching of their vehicles.

Association President Md Alamgir Molla on Friday told bdnews24.com that buses and minibuses would not run on the Dhaka-Khulna-Barisal, Dhaka-Mawa, Dhaka-Munshiganj and Dhaka-Dohar routes from that day.

He said road accidents invariably lead to the smashing and torching of vehicles or extortion of ransom for the release of seized buses on routes leading to south from Dhaka.

"This has made transport a risky business. That's why we have called this indefinite strike to press for our four demands in the absence of alternatives."

Two people were killed on Aug 4 after their motorcycle collided with a Meghna Paribahan bus in Bejgaon area on the Dhaka-Mawa route.
Following the accident, agitated locals had burnt several buses and damaged around 50 other vehicles.

Alamgir Molla said no Meghna Paribahan buses were running on the route since then, leaving at least 150 workers of 30 buses jobless.

"Discussing the problem with public representatives and locals has not produced results. Influential people in Munshiganj have demanded Tk 1.5 million to compensate those who suffered a loss. But owners have said they won't be able to pay more than Tk 200,000."

He said informing the BRTA, the communications and shipping ministers, the local district administration and police have not improved matters.

"That's why we have been forced to call this strike," Molla said.

The association’s four demands are:

*Necessary administrative measures to ensure safe travel;
*Compensation for bus owners whose vehicles have been torched;
*Release of vehicles impounded by police;
*And legal steps to put an end to compensation claims following every accident.