Bus workers withdraw blockade in Gazipur, continue strike

Bus workers withdrew their blockade from Mawna intersection in Sreepur area on Dhaka-Mymenisngh highway after two hours on Tuesday morning but continued an indefinite strike protesting against implementation of the Road Transport Act, reports UNB.

Hundreds of bus workers took to the streets and put up barricade in the area on the highway around 8am, causing immense sufferings to thousands of commuters.

However, they removed the barricade at 10am.

Thousands of school going children, office goers and Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNISU) admission seekers were the worst sufferers during two hours blockade in the morning.

Bus workers said they have blocked the road demanding cancellation of the new law and they will continue the strike until their demands are met.

Ayub Hossain, sub inspector of Mawna highway police station, said when they requested the protesting workers they allowed a bus carrying JKKNISU admission seekers to cross the area.

The much talked-about act came into effect from 1 November. The road transport and bridges ministry had announced the decision through a notification on 22 October.

Earlier on Monday,thousands of commuters suffered much as bus workers went on strike in various districts including Jhenaidah, Khulna, Rajshahi, Narail, Kushtia and Satkhira protesting against implementation of the RTA.