Chittagong Bureau :
Sampan(countrymade boat) strike began in Banglabazar Ghat in Karnaphuli river in Chittagong from yesterday causing miserable sufferings of the commuters .
The passengers of West Patiya on either bank of the river regularly go through this ghat . All these sampans are engine run. The strike enforced protesting the tolls of ghat by the ghat lease.
The strike begins yesterday for indefinite period, sources said. Ghat sources said about 317 sampans are regularly plying through this ghat to West patiya. Sadarghat Thana Officer in-charge sources said the daily rent of the ghat was earlier Tk.11 hundred but recently it increased to Tk.15 hundred. The boat owner/caretaker realized Tk.7 per head for crossing the river but it now increased by one Taka but the commuters disagree to pay the increased rent . Scuffle, altercation are going on every day over the increased rent of boat .
The boat driver /owners said they are unable to realize increased rent from the passengers and hence they are compelled to suspend their service till the matter is resolved amicably. As a result about 317 sampans are observing strike from last morning, sources said.
