Angry workers have blockaded roads, including around Dinajpur’s Kotwali police station, in protest over the arrest of labor leader Sheikh Badsha, who had resigned from the banned Awami League and joined the BNP.
The blockade has caused severe traffic congestion across the city, causing hardship for passengers, pedestrians and the general public. During the blockade of Kotwali police station, a major clash broke out between two groups of workers, injuring at least six workers.
Bus service on all routes in Dinajpur has been suspended since Thursday morning, August 27.
All entry points to Dinajpur city, including Sarkari College More, Fulbari bus stand and Baluadanga tempo stand, have been barricaded with vehicles. Around midday, angry workers set fire to a bus in front of Kotwali police station. Several other buses were also vandalized.
Detective Branch (DB) police arrested labor leader Sheikh Badsha around 9 p.m. Wednesday in connection with a case filed over the events of August 5. News of his arrest spread, and transport workers halted all vehicle movement, including long-distance passenger buses, starting Wednesday night.
Angry workers have also blocked roads at various intersections by parking large buses and night coaches, causing severe traffic congestion across the city.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops) Anwar Hossain said: “Labor leader Sheikh Badsha is a wanted accused under an arrest warrant. He was arrested in accordance with the law. Talks are under way with labor organization leaders to resolve the issue.”
Meanwhile, workers said: “We will not lift the road blockade unless Sheikh Badsha is released. We demand his immediate, unconditional release. If he is not released, we will bring the entire northern region, and the whole country, to a standstill.”
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report