Bus services resume after 6.5 hours in Rajshahi following assault on workers

Dhaka-bound buses resumed operations from Rajshahi after being closed for six and a half hours as all services to different destinations were suspended this afternoon (16 December) following an incident of five bus workers reportedly being assaulted by CNG auto-rickshaw drivers in Tanore upazila earlier on the day. 

The suspension began at 1pm until 7:30pm, leaving passengers stranded, although buses coming from other districts were allowed to depart.

In the evening, Acting General Secretary of Rajshahi Motor Workers Union Rafiqul Islam Pakhi said the buses resumed operation after a meeting with the administration. 

"Buses are plying normally on all routes. A case has been filed with the local police station. Law enforcers have assured us they will arrest the accused by nightfall."

The incident occurred in the morning when five bus workers identified as drivers Swapan Ali, Babar, Shaheen, Nuruzzaman, and conductor Zia were physically assaulted by CNG auto-rickshaw drivers. The Rajshahi Motor Workers' Union reacted by halting inter-district bus services.  

Around 1pm, bus workers with sticks gathered near the city's Shiroil Bus Terminal and attempted to march toward the city's rail gate CNG stand. 

Labour leader Helal Uddin intervened, urging calm, but some workers advanced, reportedly intending to damage CNG vehicles. 

The situation was brought under control after police and army personnel intervened. However, bus services had not resumed by 5pm, causing significant inconvenience to passengers.  

Rafiqul Islam Pakhi, acting general secretary of the Rajshahi Motor Workers' Union, confirmed the suspension. 

"The workers are not running buses. All buses from Rajshahi remain halted, except for buses arriving from other districts," he said.  

"Our workers were assaulted and injured by CNG drivers in Tanore. The police have not yet filed a case or arrested anyone, leading to outrage among workers," he added. 

Tanore police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mizanur Rahman acknowledged the long-standing tensions between bus and CNG drivers. 

"The problem persists because CNG vehicles are stopped in the city by bus workers, while buses face threat by CNG drivers in Tanore. This issue needs resolution," he said.

Addressing allegations of delays in registering a case, OC Rahman clarified, "The complaint has been submitted, and the case is being processed. It will be recorded shortly."

Passengers wait with tickets in hand, but no bus to go Dhaka

Meanwhile, the suspension has caused immense suffering for passengers on the Dhaka-bound route from Rajshahi, with many waiting for hours in vain.

Passengers and transport workers at the bus station said the bus movement stopped at 1:00pm. There has been no announcement as to when the suspension will end.

As of the filing of this report at 6:00pm, the suspension remains in effect.

Dhaka-bound Desh Travels' Rajshahi counter manager Masud Rana said, "We missed seven trips. Passengers of all buses are now waiting at the counter. No Dhaka-bound bus is operating."