Public transport movements have been shut down at the bus terminal in Jamalpur ahead of the BNP’s rally in Mymensingh, causing immense suffering to local passengers.
The Transport Owners Association said that the move was a precaution to protecting the buses as most of the times political programs lead to vandalism in the district.
Jamalpur Bus Workers Union President Mahbub Alam stated: "No one has told us to halt the buses. Due to their concern over the vehicles being vandalized and the drivers being attacked, they declined to take the buses to the event.”
The BNP, however, claimed that the Awami League members and leaders made the move to halt the flow of attendees at the Mymensingh event.
The activists, however, decided to travel by boat to the protest.
Meanwhile, the lack of buses and auto-rickshaws on the roadways is causing long-distance travelers trouble.
Md Gias Uddin of Shyampur village of Melandah upazila said: “I came from Melandaha to go to Dhaka. But there is no bus at Jamalpur bus terminal. I have to report to the office tomorrow. I am in a lot of trouble.”
Deepali Rani Pal of Mukundabari area of Jamalpur municipality said: “I have to go to Dhaka for an urgent purpose. But there is no transport.”
"Cars have been impounded in an unforeseen manner to obstruct the flow of people into our divisional assembly," claimed Faridul Kabir Shamim, district BNP President.
He claimed that Awami League officials exerted pressure on the bus owners.