Transport workers halted traffic on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway protesting the alleged assault on a bus driver.
The demonstration began in the Shah Amanat Bridge (New Bridge) area of Chattogram from the morning, with workers blocking vehicles and taking to the streets in protest on Sunday (8 September).
As a result, no vehicles could enter the city via the bridge, and traffic towards southern Chattogram was completely disrupted.
This led to severe inconvenience for passengers, with many abandoning their vehicles to continue their journeys on foot.
Protesting workers claimed that transport union general secretary, Mohammad Musa had incited illegal workers to attack the legitimate ones in retaliation for protesting against excessive extortion.
A senior bus driver was reportedly injured in the altercation, sparking the protest.
On-site reports revealed a large number of vehicles stranded on the bridge due to the protest, causing a severe traffic jam on both ends. Hundreds of workers gathered at the northern end of the bridge in the Chaktai area, chanting slogans.
Due to the blockade, passengers were left stranded under the scorching sun from the early hours of the day. While a few smaller vehicles attempted to pass, protesters forcibly offloaded passengers.
Several workers accused Musa and other union leaders of exploiting them, similar to the authoritarian methods of Sheikh Hasina.
According to one worker, “Musa and his gang extort Tk1,680 in illegal fees from a single bus making the journey from Chattogram to Cox's Bazar.”
The protesting workers further alleged that these union leaders, like MPs and ministers of the Awami League, have been engaging in rampant extortion under the guise of various organisations.
Attempts to resist this extortion, they said, have resulted in persecution. Their key demands include an end to extortion under the banner of transport unions, protection from attacks on workers, and assurances of worker safety.
A coordinator of the Arakan Road Transport Workers Union, associated with the Anti-Discrimination Transport Workers Movement, complained, “For the past 17 years, Musa has been sucking our blood without any elections. Despite the political changes in the country, Musa’s extortion continues. In these 17 years, approximately 8,000 workers have left this profession due to his tyranny. Our protests will continue until the autocrat Musa is brought to justice.”
The situation escalated with the arrival of the army at the protest site. Army personnel have been in discussions with the agitated workers, attempting to bring the situation under control.
