Duelling protests sparked by July fighter's 'harassment' paralyses Dhaka-Mymensingh traffic
Road communication between Dhaka and Mymensingh has been disrupted following duelling protests by students and transport workers after a gazetted July fighter was allegedly harassed on a United Service bus.
Members of the Students Against Discrimination and transport workers staged counter demonstrations in Mymensingh on Saturday, halting traffic on both sides of the highway, according to bdnews24.com.
Protesters from the student group gathered in front of the United Service counter at Maskanda bus stand, while transport workers blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh bypass from noon, according to Md Shibirul Islam, chief of Mymensingh Kotwali Model Police Station.
“All vehicles travelling between Mymensingh and Dhaka have been stuck since the blockade began,” he said, adding that the tailback stretched up to 8km.
Witnesses said hundreds of passengers were stranded for hours as buses from both directions remained stranded. Some left their vehicles to seek alternative transport.
The standoff began on Friday night, when Abu Raihan, a recognised July fighter from Haluaghat, allegedly faced verbal abuse from a bus staffer after accidentally bumping into him while boarding. Despite repeated apologies, the transport worker reportedly insulted him and forced him off the bus.
In protest, activists of Students Against Discrimination staged a sit-in from 9pm Friday, halting United Service operations on the Mymensingh–Dhaka route.
The students have demanded punishment for those responsible, the arrest of Aminul Haque Shamim, vice-president of the district Awami League unit, implicated in the murder of July Uprising martyr Sagor. They also called for all buses owned by him under the United Service line to be taken out of service. Shamim is said to own 16 buses.
Police, district administration, and Army personnel visited the bus terminal on Friday night to calm tensions, officials said. A transport worker, identified by his first name as Jhontu, has been detained.
“We tried to resolve the issue overnight. But when no agreement was reached by noon, transport workers started their own blockade,” said Shibirul.
Alamgir Mahmud Alam, president of the Mymensingh District Motor Owners Association and joint convener of the district BNP, said efforts were ongoing to mediate.
“Students are preventing buses from running, and workers are blocking roads in response. We’re trying to reach a solution,” he said.