Dhaka-Mymensingh traffic resumes as United, Soukhin bus services halt

The services of two transport companies are suspended due to internal issues, police say

Traffic on the Dhaka-Mymensingh route has resumed after a five-and-a-half-hour tailback caused by a protest of Students Against Discrimination and a counter-protest by transport workers over “insulting” a gazetted July fighter.

The bus services of United Service and Shoukhin Paribahan, however, remain suspended on the Mymensingh-Dhaka route.

Kotwali Model Police Station chief Md Shibirul Islam said on Saturday, “The protests have been withdrawn following a decision to halt operations of 16 buses of United Service on the Dhaka-Mymensingh route.

“However, due to internal problems, the bus services of two companies are suspended.”

Transport workers began protesting by blocking the city bypass from 11am on Saturday, leaving buses from Mymensingh, Netrokona, Sherpur, and Jamalpur stranded.

Vehicles travelling from Dhaka to the four districts were also caught in the congestion, causing long traffic jams.

Passengers on both sides were delayed for hours, with some choosing to continue their journey on foot.

Students demanded the arrest of Aminul Haque Shamim, vice-president of the district Awami League, over the murder of July Uprising martyr Sagor, and called for his 16 United Service buses to be taken out of service.

Following talks with transport workers, it was agreed around 4:30pm to suspend the operation of all 16 buses.

The leaders of the Students Against Discrimination then moved from the Maskanda bus counter, and transport workers lifted the bypass blockade, allowing stranded buses to resume their journeys.

Transport worker leaders said United Transport’s Mymensingh office contacted authorities in Dhaka's Mohakhali, resulting in a decision to suspend the services of United and Shoukhin.

While other services have resumed, buses from these two companies remain off the road.