A 48-hour transport strike initiated by the Brihattor Chattogram Ganaparibahan Malik Sramik Oikkyo Parishad began on Sunday morning, significantly disrupting daily life in Chattogram port city amidst a severe heatwave.
The strike, which affects buses, minibuses, human hauliers, auto-rickshaws, and other three-wheelers, has led to considerable difficulties for commuters across the city, reports UNB.
Impact on commuters
From early in the morning, commuters, including office workers, students, and senior citizens, were seen waiting for long periods at several points in the port city due to the scarcity of mass transportation. The streets showed a markedly decreased traffic flow, with most vehicles off the roads in response to the strike call.
Transport workers confirmed that no long-distance buses departed from Chattogram on Sunday. Md Musa, the secretary of the transport body, stated that movement of buses and three-wheeler vehicles has been suspended since 6am. Buses from other parts of the country are also prohibited from entering Chattogram during the strike period.
Background of the strike
The strike was called following an incident where students of the Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) reportedly set buses on fire in protest after two of their peers were killed in a road accident. The students, Shanto Saha and Tawfiq Hasan, both from the Civil Engineering department, died when a bus hit their motorbike on the Chattogram-Kaptai road on April 22.
In retaliation, some CUET students vandalized three buses and set another on fire. The protests escalated over the following days, leading to the university's closure and the postponement of academic activities.
Demands and protests
The transport workers' strike is a protest against the damage inflicted on their vehicles and calls for compensation for the burnt buses, along with the arrest of the accused students. The strike encompasses Chattogram City, district, Cox’s Bazar, and three hilly districts. It aims to press home a four-point demand, emphasising the need for justice and reparations for the damages incurred during the student protests.
Emergency services exempt
Despite the widespread disruption, the strike organizers say that emergency vehicles, including ambulances, will not be affected by the strike. The transport strike is scheduled to conclude at 6 am on Tuesday.
University response and continued tensions
The CUET administration attempted to quell the unrest by meeting with the protesting students, who assured them they would halt their demonstrations and return to academic activities. However, following an emergency syndicate committee meeting on April 26, CUET authorities decided to keep the campus closed until May 9.
