Nonstop blockade resumes Sunday; some long route buses start plying
Star Report
The BNP-led 18-party opposition alliance last night
suspended its ongoing countrywide blockade of roads, rail and waterways
for today and tomorrow in consideration of what it termed as people's
sufferings.
BNP chairperson's adviser Osman Faruk made the announcement through a video message.
The non-stop blockade, which started on New Year's Day, will resume on Sunday, he added.
The opposition combine will organise its earlier scheduled Doa Mahfil (prayers) today for the salvation of the departed souls of its leaders and activists, who died on January 5. The alliance will also stage protest rallies across the country tomorrow.
Inter-district buses operated on a limited scale from Wednesday night, braving arson attacks during blockades, which put the sector in dire straits,
BNP chairperson's adviser Osman Faruk made the announcement through a video message.
The non-stop blockade, which started on New Year's Day, will resume on Sunday, he added.
The opposition combine will organise its earlier scheduled Doa Mahfil (prayers) today for the salvation of the departed souls of its leaders and activists, who died on January 5. The alliance will also stage protest rallies across the country tomorrow.
Inter-district buses operated on a limited scale from Wednesday night, braving arson attacks during blockades, which put the sector in dire straits,
sector insiders said.
Bus operators made such a decision as their back was against the wall. Stuck in different places, people also boarded buses at risk to their lives.
“I had planned to come to Dhaka on January 6 from my village home in Rangamati as my classes were scheduled for the following day. But I couldn't find any option to reach Dhaka,” said Gaurab Chakma, a student at a private college in Uttara.
Gaurab started for Dhaka from Rangamati by a bus of Dolphin Paribahan yesterday evening.
“If I don't drive the bus, I won't be able to feed my family. Being a bus driver, I don't have any savings either,” said driver Ershadul Alam at Gabtoli Bus Terminal yesterday afternoon.
More than 100 buses left the terminal throughout the day yesterday, said Abdus Sobhan, lessee of the terminal.
Some inter-district buses also operated in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Rajshahi, Chuadanga, Kushtia and Meherpur since Wednesday afternoon. No unwarranted incident was reported, except for the one in Jessore.
A trucker and his helper were injured as blockaders hurled a petrol bomb at the vehicle on the Jessore-Benapole highway at Natunhat around 8:45pm on Wednesday.
Driver Mohammad Dalim suffered burns on his face and hands, while helper Sohag sustained minor injuries.
As the fire engulfed the driving cabin, the driver lost control over the wheels and the truck skidded into a roadside ditch, said injured Sohag.
The two were undergoing treatment at Jessore Medical College Hospital.
Bus operators made such a decision as their back was against the wall. Stuck in different places, people also boarded buses at risk to their lives.
“I had planned to come to Dhaka on January 6 from my village home in Rangamati as my classes were scheduled for the following day. But I couldn't find any option to reach Dhaka,” said Gaurab Chakma, a student at a private college in Uttara.
Gaurab started for Dhaka from Rangamati by a bus of Dolphin Paribahan yesterday evening.
“If I don't drive the bus, I won't be able to feed my family. Being a bus driver, I don't have any savings either,” said driver Ershadul Alam at Gabtoli Bus Terminal yesterday afternoon.
More than 100 buses left the terminal throughout the day yesterday, said Abdus Sobhan, lessee of the terminal.
Some inter-district buses also operated in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Rajshahi, Chuadanga, Kushtia and Meherpur since Wednesday afternoon. No unwarranted incident was reported, except for the one in Jessore.
A trucker and his helper were injured as blockaders hurled a petrol bomb at the vehicle on the Jessore-Benapole highway at Natunhat around 8:45pm on Wednesday.
Driver Mohammad Dalim suffered burns on his face and hands, while helper Sohag sustained minor injuries.
As the fire engulfed the driving cabin, the driver lost control over the wheels and the truck skidded into a roadside ditch, said injured Sohag.
The two were undergoing treatment at Jessore Medical College Hospital.
