Transport unions will extend their ongoing strike across the country if their demands are not met within three days, sector leaders warned. The strike is now being observed in southern districts only.
Khulna Division Owners Workers United Council issued the ultimatum Saturday as a dispute arising from the arrest of two transport workers in a robbery case dragged on.
Last Wednesday, Khulna divisional transporters called the strike in the southern districts to press for unconditional release of the two.
"We will support whatever regional organisations decide to meet the demand. Rajshahi and Rangpur divisional wings have already decided to go on strike from Monday," Transport Workers' Federation general secretary Osman Ali told The Financial Express (FE).
Transporters sounded the threat at a press conference at Jessore Bus Owners Association office Saturday, as the deadlock remained unresolved.
Besides release of the two of their fellow workers, nabbed in Faridpur in a robbery case, transporters also demanded withdrawal of Faridpur Superintendent of Police (SP) and Madhukhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) and judicial investigation into the robbery case.
Khulna Division Owners-Workers United Council Convener Ali Akbar read out the written statement. The council's Joint Convener, Azizul Alam Mintu, and Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation Joint Secretary Sadeque Hossain were also present at the conference.
Police detained the driver of Sohag Paribahan bus and his assistant for interrogation after the robbery in Faridpur's Madhukhali on May 18 as a gang of 7/8, in the guise of passengers, looted cash, ornaments, mobile-phone sets and other valuables from the Benapole-bound bus.
The detained driver and his assistant were later shown arrested in the robbery case.
But their fellow workers and transport owners claimed the police arrested them when the driver went to Madhukhali police station to lodge a complaint.
Osman Ali told the FE: "Police arrested our two members without any proof and any investigation. Countrywide strike is inevitable if demands are not met."
He adds: "We do not have any trust on the local administration. We want a judicial inquiry into the matter, including the incident of robbery."
However, Dhaka Bus-Truck Owners' Association President Faruk Talukder said they have no way if drivers and staffs do not work.
"We cannot run our own buses, so it is no matter whether we support strike or not," said Faruk Talukder, who is also owner of Sohag Paribahan the two arrested workers had work for.
Khulna Division Owners-Workers United Council Convener Ali Akbar said there is no chance of backtracking on this protest.
"Discussions with the owners and the workers of all divisions, including Rajshahi, Barisal and Dhaka, are underway," Akbar said at the Jessore press meet.
Meanwhile, no buses from Faridpur, Jessore, Kushtia, Jhenidah, Khulna and Satkhira travelled on the roads leading to Dhaka on Saturday, the fifth day of strike.
Traffic on intra-district routes too halted.
The strike on 18 routes of the southern region covers Barisal, Rajshahi and Khulna divisions.
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