Truck owners, workers call indefinite strike in northern Bangladesh

Movement of trucks, tanker-lorries, covered vans and pick-up trucks have come to a grinding halt in the northern districts of the country.

Owners and workers in 16 districts of Rajshahi and Rangpur Divisions have gone on an indefinite strike from Thursday morning.

“It has been called to press home our seven-point charter of demands which includes stopping harassment by police,” said Nazrul Islam, the assistant general secretary of a platform of owners and workers.

“We had to go for it as the administration did not respond to our repeated requests ," he said.

He added the strike would continue until their demands are met.

The demands

* Ending harassment by police over checking documents on highways

* Scrapping the order to remove bumpers, angles and hooks from vehicles

* Remission of arrear interests accumulated over tax, fitness and route permits.

* Ending extortion and harassments at weighing stations on highways.

* Stop illegal vehicles from plying on highways.

* Ending harassment while renewing driving licenses.

* Easy terms on issuing new driving licenses.