Fuel supply suspended indefinitely in eight districts of Rangpur division

Fuel supply has been halted in at least eight districts of Rangpur division following an indefinite work stoppage by the Divisional Tank Lorry Workers' Union. The protest was called in response to the imprisonment of three workers in Nilphamari.

Oil extraction and supply operations at the Parbatipur Railhead Oil Depot have been suspended since Sunday morning. Petrol pump owners' associations and other related parties have expressed solidarity with the workers' movement.

According to reports, a tank lorry carrying fuel from Parbatipur Railhead Depot set off for Nilphamari on Saturday night. When the vehicle developed a mechanical fault in the Railgate area, the driver and assistant were attempting to repair it. At that time, Executive Magistrate Md Niaz Bhuiyan of the district administration arrived and searched the vehicle.

During the search, 13 litres of petrol were recovered from a jerry can. The driver, assistant and another individual were detained and taken to the Deputy Commissioner's office. A mobile court subsequently sentenced each of them to six months' imprisonment and a fine of Tk 1 lakh.

In protest of this incident, workers called for the work stoppage. They allege that the workers were treated unjustly and demand the immediate withdrawal of the punishment.