Indefinite transport strike begins in Habiganj

An indefinite transport strike began in Habiganj today (1 October) protesting the detention and vandalism of buses and attacks on transport workers on the Habiganj-Moulvibazar route.

All types of public transport, including buses, remained off the roads across the district from early this morning.

No inter-district or long-distance buses left Habiganj since morning, causing severe suffering to passengers and commuters.

Many passengers were seen waiting for transport at different bus terminals.

Abu Moin Chowdhury Sohel, general secretary of Habiganj Motor Group, said transport owners from Habiganj have long been operating buses on the Habiganj-Sreemangal-Moulvibazar-Sherpur-Sylhet route.

However, buses from Habiganj have faced obstruction at different times amid disputes with transport owners and workers in Moulvibazar.

Sohel claimed that after bus services resumed on the route on 24 September, the SMS authorities in Moulvibazar detained three buses from Habiganj.

The buses have not yet been released, he said.

Following the incident, transport owners and workers’ leaders called the indefinite strike demanding the release of the buses and unhindered operation of Habiganj buses in accordance with an earlier agreement.

“We want our buses to operate without obstruction as per the previous decision. We have been forced to go on strike because our buses are repeatedly being detained,” Sohel said.

Since the strike began in the early hours, no public transport has left Habiganj for Dhaka, other districts or destinations within the district.

As a result, office-goers, students, patients and long-distance passengers have faced considerable inconvenience.

Transport owners and workers’ leaders said the strike would continue until their demands are met.