Bus strike makes Khulna div remote, govt nonchalant

Though hundreds of passengers are suffering immensely as an indefinite strike by bus owners and workers have snapped road communications between the south-western districts and the rest of the country for five days, the government remains unresponsive.

Transport owners and workers enforced the strike at 10 districts of Khulna division on Tuesday afternoon demanding release of a bus driver and his helper, who were detained by police earlier on the day for robbery.

Talking to The Daily Star yesterday afternoon, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan said no initiatives for discussions could be taken yet as he has been out of the capital for the last few days.

"I have already spoken with the state minister over phone and I will also talk to the road transport and bridges minister. Let us see what will happen," said Shajahan, also the executive president of Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik Federation, the largest body of road transport workers in Bangladesh.

"If no development occurs, I will come to Dhaka the day after tomorrow (Monday) and then I can look into the issue for a solution," said the minister.

However, the situation will worsen tomorrow as transport workers in Rajshahi and Rangpur districts have announced a bus strike there expressing solidarity with the workers of Khulna.     

Osman Ali, general secretary of Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik Federation, said, "We want the driver and helper to be released and the superintendent of police of Faridpur and officer-in-charge of Modhukhali Police Station withdrawn. The strike will continue until our demands are met."

Khandaker Enyet Ullah, convener of Malik-Sramik Oikya Parishad, an organisation of road transport workers and owners, said, "The government should have taken the issue seriously from the beginning. It is unfortunate that no progress has been made even though a few days have already passed."  

Visiting Gabtoli bus terminal yesterday afternoon, The Daily Star found staff of different bus counters sitting idle and some napping. Whenever somebody wanted tickets, they said, "No tickets, buses are not plying." 

Many people returned home in anger and frustration, while other opted for alternative modes of transport.

Transport owners are dissatisfied over government's indifferent attitude over the matter.

"Looking at the situation, it seems to us that the government is not bothered about it. We cannot make them (government) understand how difficult this is for us," said Ashoke Kapuria, chairman of Eagle Paribahan.  

Passengers of a Benapole-bound bus of Sohag Paribahan were robbed in Maizkandi area of Faridpur around 3:00am Tuesday.

After the robbers left, bus driver Ainal Hossain drove to Modhukhali Police Station to file a general diary, but he along with the helper was arrested on suspicion.    

Talking to The Daily Star, Officer-in-Charge of Modhukhali Police Station Ruhul Amin said, "We have found the driver's involvement in the robbery. The passengers have given statements against him."

Meanwhile, bus owners have announced a strike on the Dhaka-Mawa route today protesting "illegal" parking charge at Shimulia Ferry ghat imposed by the leaseholder of the parking yard, reports our Mymensingh correspondent.