Transporters call off strike in Khulna region to end commuter woes

Bus owners and workers have withdrawn their strike in Khulna region to give a respite to commuters in the South who suffered for six days.

Monday’s decision came after a meeting between the transporters and State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

Transport owners’ organisation ‘Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Samiti’ Vice President Abul Kalam Azad told bdnews24.com that the meeting with Kamal was ‘a success’.

They had complaints against the Faridpur’s superintendent of police over the arrest of a bus driver and his assistant on robbery charges.

“The meeting decided that CID will investigate the case instead of Faridpur police,” he said adding the decision had been implemented.

A Benapole-bound bus of Sohag Paribahan was robbed on May 18. Police detained the bus driver and his assistant based on passenger complaints.

But the transporters called a strike in the southern districts demanding unconditional release of the two and the withdrawal of the Faridpur SP and Madhukhali Police Station OC.

This caused immense suffering to commuters. Many, returning from India, were stranded at Benapole.

Some carried on their journey by hiring private cars and microbuses but it cost them about ten-time the normal fare.

Bangladesh Railway decided to add extra compartments to trains to cope with the passenger rush caused by the strike.