Indefinite transport strike begins in Rajshahi div

CHAPAINAWABGANJ, Jul 1 (UNB): The Rajshahi regional committee of Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik Federation (BSPSF) enforced an indefinite strike in eight northern districts of Rajshahi division on Monday to press home their 10-point demand. The demands include immediate issuance of appointment letters to the transport workers, increasing their salary, giving them driving licences on easy terms and imposing a ban on the plying of the human haulers like Nasimon and Karimon on the highways. During the strike, inter-district buses and other heavy vehicles did not ply the routes. Meanwhile, communication with Sonamasjid land port and other part of the country was disrupted for the strike. BSPSF at a press conference at Bogra Press Club on Thursday had given the authorities an ultimatum to meet their demands by Sunday, threatening to go on a strike for an indefinite period if their demands were not met by that time. "Our 10-point demand must be met by June 30. Otherwise, transport workers will be compelled to go on a strike for an indefinite period from 6.00 am on July 1 in eight districts of Rajshahi division," said Kamal Hossain Robi, general secretary of BSPSF's Rajshahi division committee while addressing the press conference on Thursday.