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Commuters have faced severe disruption as an indefinite transport strike paralysed bus services from Mymensingh, Netrokona, Sherpur, Jamalpur, and parts of Kishoreganj.
The strike, called by bus workers protesting the arrest of a worker and the closure of 16 United Service buses, left passengers stranded on inter-district routes.
Since Sunday morning, all buses heading to Dhaka from these districts have remained grounded.
Travellers attempting to reach the divisional city of Mymensingh from surrounding districts have had to rely on alternative vehicles, often breaking their journey into multiple segments.
Saturday had seen similar disruption, although some services resumed in the afternoon under United Service and Soukhin Transport.
The unrest traces back to Friday night at Mymensingh’s Maskanda Bus Stand, where a verbal clash occurred between July Uprising activist Abu Raihan and United bus counter lineman Arun Biswas.
Following the incident, anti-discrimination student leaders staged a sit-in at the bus counter, and Biswas was arrested. Bus workers then blocked the bus pass area in protest.
On Saturday afternoon, a meeting temporarily eased tensions, but the arrest of Aminul Haq Shamim, an accused in the July Uprising Shahid Sagar murder case and United Service co-owner, along with the closure of his 16 buses, reignited the strike call.
“The sudden halt is clearly an attempt to seize control of the terminal,” said Maskanda travellers, many of whom were forced to return home and attempt to travel later.
Harin Chandra, a passenger, said: “I am too old to travel easily. I came to the terminal in the morning but found no buses. I had to go back home with my daughter and son-in-law. It’s very frustrating.”
Other passengers echoed similar frustration. Anwar Hossain said: “I came from Nalitabari to Mymensingh in segments to catch a Dhaka bus. Finding buses stopped without notice is unacceptable.”
United Service’s dismissed manager Ratan Pandit said, “I’ve been at Maskanda Terminal for 32 years under different governments, but never faced this. The closure isn’t about harassment—it’s about taking control. Hundreds of workers will lose jobs if 16 buses remain closed.”
Bus driver Raihan added, “We work to feed our families, not to serve political interests. This strike is unjustified. Terminal control should remain neutral.”
Mymensingh District Motor Owners Association President and BNP Joint Convener Alamgir Mahmud Alam said central discussions are ongoing to resolve the disruption.
Deputy Commissioner Md Mofidul Alam said a committee has been formed to investigate whether “fascist” vehicles or personnel are involved, promising corrective action.