Habiganj Bus Services Suspended Indefinitely Amid Worker Assaults and Vandalism Claims

Habiganj, Bangladesh – The vital artery of public transportation in Habiganj has been choked by an indefinite strike, enforced by the Habiganj Motor Owners Association. This drastic measure stems from escalating tensions following alleged assaults on transport workers and vandalism targeting buses on the Moulvibazar route. The strike has brought all bus services, both internal and inter-district, to a standstill, causing immense hardship for commuters.

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We have been compelled to suspend bus services as no proper solution has been reached. If the issue is not resolved by today, tougher programmes may be announced.

Despite multiple rounds of discussions involving the Sylhet divisional commissioner and the Habiganj district administration, a satisfactory resolution remains elusive. Abu Moin Chowdhury Sohel, Member Secretary of the Habiganj Motor Owners Association, stated that the association was 'compelled to suspend bus services as no proper solution has been reached.' He warned of 'tougher programmes' if the situation is not addressed promptly, indicating a potential escalation of the conflict.

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I came to the Habiganj bus terminal in the morning to travel to Sylhet for office work, but found that no buses were operating. Later, I had to hire a CNG-run auto-rickshaw at an extra cost to reach my destination.

The impact on daily life is severe. Passengers, including students and workers, have been left stranded at terminals, forced to seek expensive alternative transport like CNG-run auto-rickshaws or microbuses. This disruption highlights the fragility of public services when disputes between transport operators and authorities remain unresolved, underscoring the need for swift and effective conflict resolution to ensure the mobility and economic activity of the region.

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I had an examination today. I waited at the bus stand for a long time in the morning, but no vehicles were available. Later, a few of us hired a microbus together to reach our destination. It caused a lot of trouble and uncertainty for us.