Transport workers in Gaibandha have enforced an indefinite bus strike from Sunday morning protesting the draft Road Transport Bill, leaving the passengers stranded at the town’s bus terminal.
District Motor Owners Association President Mokbul Hossain said: “The workers are seeking withdrawal of the bill, which has the provision of death sentence and five years imprisonment for causing death of anyone by reckless driving.”
According to the bill, if any driver found guilty of killing someone deliberately while driving, he/she will be sentenced to death.
This strike started in Dinajpur first and is going to continue in Gaibandha, Rangpur and other northern districts. The strike will continue until the demands are met.
No long route buses left the district town since morning, creating immense sufferings to the commuters. Most of the passengers went home while some were waiting in the bus stop with the hope to board a bus that leaves from the town.
Aminul Haque, a businessman of Udakhali village of Fulchhari upazila in Gaibandha said: “My daughter lives in Bogra who is very sick. I came to the terminal at 11am to go to Bogra with my family. When we got here, we saw no movement of buses so, we are going back home.”
Gaibandha Citizen's Council convener Sirajul Islam went to Bus terminal to go to Natore at noon. He said: "The strike is the cause of woe to the public. The public grievances have increased since the terminal shut down since the strike. People are being victimized to harassment caused by the movement since there were no announcements regarding the strike.”
