Transport workers in depths of despair

The countrywide indefinite blockade and repeated hartals have put a severe financial hardship on around half a lakh transport workers and their families in the district.

Most of the workers have been sitting idle for nearly two months as they cannot operate their vehicles on roads for fear of arson.

Police and transport workers said at least three transport workers were killed and 19 were injured in arson and bomb attacks on vehicles, allegedly by blockaders, in last 40 days.

Livelihood of workers has been hit hard since the BNP-led 20-party alliance enforced the blockade on January 6 demanding midterm polls under a non-partisan administration.

Transport worker Srinath Kumar, 40, of Chelopara in the town is the only breadwinner for his four-member family. With his source of income practically dried up, he is now borrowing money from a local NGO to buy food and medicine. “We don't understand politics, don't know what it means. We just want to work hard and live peacefully,” he added.

Trucker Abdur Rahim, 46, of Charmatha said he has already sold his only cow for Tk 12,000 to support his family. He has no idea on how to get through the next week.

Anwar Hossain, 61, of Thanthania said they feel embarrassed to seek help from others. He thought the poor should not be the victim of dirty politics.

Protesting sabotage, arson and murder of the transport workers, Rajshahi Road Transport Workers' Federation brought out a procession in Bogra town on February 14 and later held a rally at Shatmatha.

Speaking at the rally, workers' leaders said they would not sit back if another transport worker was killed or injured in arson during the blockade and hartals. The leaders threatened the arsonists of sending them to hospitals.