Rajshahi, Bangladesh (BBN)-The indefinite transport strike enforced by the transport workers and owners in Rajshahi division has been hampering economic activities in the division from Sunday.
Rajshahi Bus Truck Owners and Workers Oikya Parishad called the strike, demanding a ban on plying of locally made unauthorised vehicles like Nosimon, Korimon and Bhotbhoti on roads and highways.
They also demand stopping toll collection by the law enforcers and harassment by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority in the name of issuing fitness certificates, and suspension of double-decker bus services in eight districts under the division.
The districts are: Bogra, Joypurhat, Naogaon, Natore, Chapainawabganj, Pabna, Rajshahi and Sirajganj.
Meanwhile, an indefinite bus strike, called by Dhaka Divisional (north region) Road Transport Owners-workers' Association, left people of eight districts in distress from Tuesday morning.
The transport owners-workers' association called the strike to press home their seven-point demand holding a press conference on Monday afternoon.
The districts are: Dhaka, Tangail, Gazipur, Mymensingh, Netrakona, Sherpur, Jamalpur and Kishoreganj.
RAJSHAHI DIVISION
The farmers and vegetable traders of the division have been suffering immensely as they could not transport their goods to capital Dhaka and other parts of the country due to the strike.
Moreover, they have to count a huge loss as most of their goods are perishable, local told the BBN.
A long queue of trucks loaded with perishable goods like vegetables, fishes and fruits are seen remain idle at the bus and truck terminals of the districts.
The people of the northern part of the country are also suffering acutely due to the strike.
No inter-district bus left from any terminal of the bus terminals while no buses were able to enter the division since the strike began from Sunday morning.
The strike has led to an increased demand for train tickets while rickshaws, vans and auto-rickshaws have been charging passengers excessive fares, taking the advantage of the situation.
BBN/ANS/AS-27May14-10:30am (BST)