‘Buses might resume plying tomorrow’

Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan has said buses might resume services from tomorrow.

“We observed today’s situation. If similar atmosphere stays tomorrow, I hope, transports will resume services,” Shahjahan, an influential transport leader, said at a programme today.

Minister Shahjahan Khan’s comments come as a significant development to the transport sector which has been staying off citing security reasons due to the agitation of students.

Dhaka has been rocking on protests and agitation – carried out by school and college students – since two of their fellows fell victim to reckless driving in the capital last Sunday

Since then, several buses have been vandalised, some even torched, as protests continue to roll to today under patient observation of the government – largely.

Bus owners have been keeping their buses off the streets – both long-haul and inter-city commutes – citing “fear” for their assets and seeking government protection.

Transport owners have specifically said they will only resume services when they “feel secure” and when “everything returns to normalcy”.

After the programme today, Shahjahan Khan said drivers were beaten at some places. “Due to insecurity, owners and workers have stopped bus services.”

Regarding the uproar for his registration, Shipping Minister Shahjahan reiterated that “it was indeed a demand of the opposition BNP and that it is not a demandof the students.”

Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan was attending a milad mahfil organised at the mosque of Mohakhali Bus Terminal to offer prayer for deceased Dia Khanam Mim. The victim’s father Jahangir Alam was a former transport leader.