Transport workers in Rajshahi called for an indefinite transport strike in Rajshahi district demanding the removal of the officers in-charge (OC) of Boalia and Shah Makhdum police stations.
They enforced the strike claiming that the OCs of these police stations in Rajshahi city were involved in extortion and had been harassing them.
Confirming the strike, Mahtab Ali, general secretary of Motor Workers’ Union yesterday told the Dhaka Tribune that the strike would come into effect from 6am today and would continue until the OCs were removed.
The strike is sponsored under the banner of Rajshahi District Motor Malik-Shromik Oikya Parishad.
Earlier on Monday, transport workers’ leaders issued a 72-hr ultimatum to withdraw Alamgir Hossain and Mizanur Rahman, OCs of Boalia and Shah Makhdum police stations respectively.
“Since we got no response from Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) in this regard, we have decided to go on a strike,” Mahtab added.
According to the transport leaders, police had been harassing the transport workers by arresting them and demanding extortion despite their effort to operate vehicles amid the countrywide hartal and blockade.
“Alamgir Hossain and Mizanur Rahman of Boalia and Shah Makhdum police stations are mostly involved in such malpractices,” Mahtab continued.
“On March 1, pro-hartal activists set two buses of Hanif Paribahan on fire. Police filed a case in this regard but did not mention any specific name or the bus number which is a prerequisite to get compensation from the government.”
