Association urges transport owners to continue services during blockade

Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association has urged its members to keep services running during the three-day blockade called by the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami in protest against arrests of opposition leaders over violence.

The association’s Secretary General Khandaker Enayet Ullah said in a statement on Monday that they decided to defy the blockade in a joint meeting of transport owners and workers, reports bdnews24.com.

“Goods and passenger transport will continue as usual,” he said.

The association condemned the arson attacks on and vandalism of dozens of vehicles in two days of protests. It noted a worker died in one of the attacks in Dhaka.

“Torching and vandalism of vehicles in the name of protest is unacceptable,” the statement said, calling for compensation from the government and exemplary punishment of those involved in the attacks.

It also urged police to beef up security at key points in Dhaka and other districts, and ensure smooth transportation of passengers and goods.

Shahjahan Khan, former shipping minister and president of the Road Transport Workers Federation, chaired the meeting also attended by the owners’ association president and Jatiya Party leader Mashiur Rahman Ranga.