Coaches are seen parked at Dhaka bus stand in Kamarpara area of Rangpur city on Monday due to an indefinite strike. Transport workers call the strike in eight districts of Rangpur division on Sunday. Photo: STAR

Transport workers have called off an indefinite strike they had enforced throughout Rangpur division in protest against what they termed an attack on their leaders and fellows.
The strike, which began at 6:00am, was withdrawn around 4:00pm on assurance by the authorities of arresting the “attackers” and ensuring punishment to them.
The leaders of Rangpur District Sarak Paribahan O Shramik Federations got the assurance at an emergency meeting with the officials of police and civil administration, said MA Mojid, federation’s general secretary of both Rangpur divisional and district units
Earlier, the eight districts-- Rangpur, Dinajpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha, Nilphamari, Panchagarh and Thakurgaon—were affected by the strike that caused immense sufferings to the thousands of passengers.
 

Shutters of bus counters at Dhaka bus stand are seen down in Kamarpara area of Rangpur city on Monday due to an indefinite strike enforced by transport workers. Photo: STAR

Commuters were seen waiting at the bus stations as road communications between the division and other parts of the country remain suspended following the strike, reports our Rangpur correspondent.
The strike was called in protest against the attack at Sarak Paribahan O Shramik Federations office in Rangpur Central Bus Terminal area in the city last night.
 “Thugs backed by the vehicle owners collect tolls everywhere,” said MA Mojid, federation’s general secretary of both Rangpur divisional and district units.
“Last night, they beat up road secretary of the federation Sadek Ali as he protested against the illegal tolls recently,” Mojid said. “Then they attacked and vandalised the office room during a meeting around 8:30pm.”
The attackers also torched his private car and at least seven other motorbikes belong to other federation members, he claimed.
Later, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.
“Our strike will continue until the attackers are arrested and we receive compensations for the vehicles,” Mojid told our correspondent.
On the other hand, president of the Rangpur district Motor Owners’ Association Abu Azger Pintu denied any involvement in the incident.