Transport strike hits Rajshahi div hard

Transport owners and workers went on an indefinite strike in all districts under Rajshahi division from 6am on Sunday to press home their six-point demand, including a ban on the movement of unauthorised vehicles on roads and highways. Their other demands include taking steps to stop realisation of illegal toll by police on roads and highways, putting an end to harassment by BRTA authorities in issuing driving licenses and withdrawal of ‘false’ cases filed against motor workers. Due to strike, road communication between Dhaka and 16 northern districts remained halted, causing immense sufferings to commuters and passengers. Hundreds of vehicles coming from the capital got stuck in Soydabad area of Bangabandhu Bridge West Link road due to the strike, reports UNB’s Sirajganj correspondent. Besides, movement of long distance buses and trucks has remained suspended between three southwestern districts - Kushtia, Meherpur and Jhenidah and Dhaka and northern region, according to Pabna’s correspondent.