A bus strike entered the second day as the movement of buses to and from Rajshahi remained suspended on Tuesday as well causing immense sufferings for the common passengers.
Passengers at the time scuttled in front of Rajshahi Bus stand andRajshahi railway station to avail transport. Transport leaders in Rajshahi have made controversial remarks on the sudden closure of bus services to and from Rajshahi.
Some of them mentioned the bus services were suspended as a sequel of the clash in Bogura while others said the bus services have been suspended to stop arrival of BNP leaders and the supporters at Rajshahi Divisional Conference of BNP on Tuesday.
In RajshahiSeroil Bus Terminal passengers were seen renting CNG and auto rickshaws to reach their destinations. In absence of bus services, the microbuses and private cars were allegedly charging extra fares from the passengers.
Soren Tudualong with his family members was waiting at Seroil Bus Terminal to avail a bus.
He said they were returning from Natore and would go to their home in Chapainawabganj. Due to the sudden shut down of bus services, he with his family members fell in an awkward situation. He added, they reached Rajshahi in a human hauler from Natore by paying an excessive fare and was trying to find another human hauler at a decent fare to reach Chapainawabganj.
Movement of buses from Naodapara Central Bus terminal also remained suspended. No long route, inter-district buses were seen to move from any bus terminals of Rajshahi. However, ticket counters of all bus terminals were open.
Mahtab Hossain Chowdhury, General Secretary of Rajshahi District Motor Shramik Union informed,the bus strike has been called in protest against ransacking of bus and torching of four motorbikes in Bogura by the terrorists on February 14. He also said, the strike will continue until the terrorists are arrested.
Meanwhile, President of Rajshahi Bus Owners Association MatiulHaque Tito informed, they were apprehending a chaotic situation in Rajshahi centering BNP’s divisional conference. Therefore, considering the security of the passengers and the safety of their vehicles, they have suspended movement of buses to and from Rajshahi.