Our Correspondent :
Transport workers in Chittagong city went on a wildcat strike halting the majority of bus and other public transport services since Thursday morning.
The abrupt stoppage has caused huge sufferings to the daily commuters and long-distance travellers.
According to sources, a faction of transport union leaders called the sudden strike after Rapid Action Battalion detained five transport workers on extortion charges in the city’s Alangkar area Wednesday night.
However, when contacted, multiple transport union leaders said they did not support the strike.
Meanwhile, hundreds of job-holders and school-goers were seen waiting hours on end for public transports at the city’s Kazir Dewri, Lalkhan Bazar, Tiger Pass, Agrabad and other areas.
Many were forced to pay high fares to reach their destination by rickshaws or some other means.
Speaking on the issue, Chittagong Metropolitan Transportation Owners’ Group Secretary General Belayet Hossain Belal said he did not endorse the unannounced strike. “I know some transport leaders are protesting the arrest of their workers. But, we laud RAB for arresting the extortionists,” he added.
Confirming the matter to Dhaka Tribune, RAB 7 Senior Assistant Director (Media) Md Nurul Abshar said the detainees were apprehended for extorting money from drivers of covered-vans, freight trucks and other transports for a long time.
“They were sued under a case before being handed over to Pahartali police station,” he added.
