Bus services suspended in Rajshahi

Inter-district and long-distance bus services from Rajshahi have been suspended.

The suspension came in effect as transport workers are holding a sit-in programme at the Shiroil Bus Terminal area of ​​the city since Monday (May 18) morning by stopping buses. They are holding this programme seeking fresh elections by rejecting the new committee of the District Motor Workers Union.

Passengers traveling on various routes from Rajshahi have been facing extreme hardship due to the suspension of bus services. Although the counters of various long-distance transport services at the Shiroil Bus Terminal are closed, numerous passengers were seen waiting there. Many have expressed anger over the sudden suspension of buses.

Habibur Rahman, a passenger bound for Comilla, said that he had taken leave in advance to go home on the occasion of Eid. But when he reached the terminal, he found out that the bus services were suspended. He alleged that ordinary passengers are suffering due to such programmes of the workers from time to time.

Workers said thst the Bangladesh Road Transport Federation announced a new committee of 21 members of the Rajshahi District Motor Workers Union. Rafiqul Islam Pakhi was made the president and Mominul Islam was made the general secretary.

Rafiqul Islam Pakhi was previously the acting general secretary of the organization. Recently, there were allegations of attacks on workers under his leadership. In this situation, a section of the workers rejected the new committee and demanded elections. Rafiqul Islam Pakhi is also the president of the Rajshahi Metropolitan Workers' Party.

When asked about the bus stop, Rafiqul Islam Pakhi said that he does not know who or what stopped the buses. He will look into the matter.

Nazrul Islam Helal, general secretary of the Rajshahi Road Transport Group, said that the workers have stopped the buses by rejecting the new committee. He went to the police commissioner's office to discuss the matter.