Commuters of Chittagong city suffered immensely yesterday as a faction of CNG-owners imposed an indefinite strike in the port city to press their eight-point demands including stopping plying of unregistered CNG-run auto-rickshaws.
Local sources said a section of CNG-run auto-rickshaw owners and drivers under the banner of “Chhattagram Mahanagor Malik-Chalok Parishad” has called the strike to realise their several demands.
Haider Azam, president of the platform, said they were demanding necessary steps to halt movement of unauthorised CNG-run vehicles which were plying roads using token from some organisations.
Their other demands include issuing license for CNG-run vehicles drivers, arranging proper parking spaces for CNG-run autorickshaws, realsing fine from traffic through bank account, stopping drivers’ harassment and legal steps against the organisations which are providing token to illegal vehicles.
During the strike, a few CNG auto-rickshaws were seen plying city roads in the morning while the number was increasing as the day progressed but the number was not enough to meet the public demand.
Commuters were seen to wait in several spots for CNG auto-rickshaw during rush hours.
Al Masud, private job holder in city’s Agrabad area, said, “Usually I go to my workplace by three wheelers to avoid hustle and bustle at public transport but today I face difficulties to manage alternative transport.”
Taking the advantage of the strike paddle rickshaw charged extra fare from commuters.
Haidar Azam said all platforms of transport owners had expressed solidarity with their strike while the strike would continue till further notice. Meanwhile, another platform of owners’ and drivers’ protested the strike and plied their vehicles amid the strike.
Chittagong Auto rickshaw- Auto Tempoo Sramik Union’s General Secretary Harunur Rashid said a vested quarters had been plotting conspiracy against transport sector imposing the strike.
Only 25% CNG-run auto rickshaws belong to platform which called the strike, he added.
A numbers of unregistered CNG-run auto rickshaw are running in the city using “token sticker” in exchange of money, said sources.
Regarding the issue, a conflict situation has created among CNG owners-drivers’ organisation platforms which leading the strike, said the sources.
