The suspension of bus services in Rangpur is affecting commuters in Kurigram as well, despite the latter district's transport owners not agreeing with the strike.
As previously announced, Rangpur Motor Owners Association's strike started at 6am on Friday, a day before the BNP's mass rally in the district.
No bus vehicles were leaving Kurigram and plying the Kurigram-Rangpur highway either amid the strike in Rangpur.
Kurigram Motor Owners Association General Secretary M Lutfar Rahman Baksi said his organization had not agreed to go on a strike.
“However, it is the owners' decision whether they will operate their vehicles during the strike called in Rangpur. The vehicles are privately owned. Those who want to operate can do so.”
However, no passenger bus left Kurigram for Rangpur and even the ticket counter was closed.
Passengers at Kurigram central bus stand had to suffer as they could not find any buses for their commute. Many had to leave for their destinations on autorickshaws.
However, despite the suspension of long-distance and inter-district buses, the movement of goods-laden vehicles was normal.
A Sirajganj-bound passenger, Monjurul, said: “We did not know that a transport strike had been called. If I had known, maybe I would not have left like this.”
Maidul and Abu Jalal along with 14 labourers came from Nageshwari to Kurigram bus stand by autorickshaw to go to Bogra to harvest rice. But the lack of transport forced them to return home.
“I paid Tk50 to come to the bus stand. It will cost another Tk50 to return. The total amount went to waste,” Maidul said.
