Strike called off after meeting in Sunamganj, traffic returning to normal

The transport workers’ strike in Sunamganj, called amid tensions with students over bus fares, has been withdrawn following a meeting organised by the district administration.

The meeting took place on Monday (4 August) afternoon in the conference room of the Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner’s office. Officials from the district administration, police, faculty and students of Sunamganj Science and Technology University, bus owners, and transport workers’ leaders attended.

The meeting was chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Samar Kumar Pal. Present were Sheikh Abdul Latif, Chairman of the Physics Department; Additional Superintendent of Police Mohammad Zakir Hossain; Secretary General of the District Bus Owners’ Association Mohammad Juel Mia; President of the District Transport Workers’ Union Sejaul Kabir; and General Secretary Nurul Haq.

During the discussion, students detailed the events of Sunday morning, while transport workers presented their accounts. After extensive talks, the workers announced the withdrawal of the strike.

Transport worker leader Sejaul Kabir stated:

“The administration and police have assured us that our three demands will be met. The university authorities have also promised that such undesirable incidents will not recur.”

The workers’ union explained that the strike was called to press three demands:

• Ensuring the safety of workers
• Justice for those involved in the attack
• Release of detained workers

Earlier on Sunday at around 9:30 am, several first-year students of the university were returning to campus from Sunamganj district town by bus bound for Sylhet. While alighting at Shantiganj, an argument over half fare broke out between the students and the bus driver’s assistant. According to students, the assistant pushed one student, causing the student to sustain injuries by hitting the bus window.

Conversely, transport workers alleged that the students vandalised the bus, assaulted workers, and detained one worker on campus. At around 3 pm on Sunday, transport workers blocked the road in front of the Sunamganj bus terminal. Police intervened and helped clear the blockade after negotiations.

From 5 pm, workers began an indefinite strike that halted bus services from Sunamganj to Dhaka and other regions, causing severe hardship for passengers.

It is notable that the temporary campus of Sunamganj Science and Technology University is located beside the Sunamganj-Sylhet road in Shantiganj Upazila, approximately 17 kilometres from the district town, at the Sunamganj Textile Institute.

Following the meeting and resolution of issues, traffic in Sunamganj is gradually returning to normal.