Barishal Bureau

Bus communication between Barishal and five other districts under Barishal division has been suspended as transport workers are observing an indefinite strike protesting the attacks on them and vandalism of a bus terminal since Wednesday morning.

The suspension halted the bus service on 29 routes of the five districts, resulting in immense suffering of commuters. The five districts include Barguna, Bhola, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, and Pirojpur.

Many passengers were seen waiting for hours at the bus counters while some were heading towards their destinations by alternative vehicles.

The short distance passengers were taking the three-wheelers to reach their destinations.

On Tuesday an argument broke out between a female student of Government Brojomohun College, Barishal and staffers of a bus under Jhalakathi Owners’ Association over half-fare payment when she wanted to travel from Barishal to Jhalkathi on Tuesday afternoon.

Being informed, the BM College students rushed to the Rupatali Bus Terminal in Barishal and got locked into chase and counter-chase with the bus workers.

At one stage, the students allegedly vandalised an office of bus workers, several buses and torched those. Some people from both ends were injured in the clashes on Tuesday afternoon.

At night, the transport workers at the Barishal Rupatli Bus Terminal called for the indefinite strike, protesting the mayhem.

Barishal Bus Owners’ Group General Secretary Engineer Anowar Hossain attributed the lack of security for keeping bus service off.

Replying to a question, he said the bus workers know better when they will join work.

On the other hand, the Barishal chapter of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on Wednesday issued a media release warning of taking alternative measures if the bus service remains off.

Besides, the student movement placed an eight-point demand protesting the harassment of the female student.