Pharmacy owners go for strike to protest eviction drive in Brahmanbaria town

Pharmacy owners across Brahmanbaria town observed a strike for over 10 hours today (27 October) to protest an eviction attempt targeting shops at the Government Women's College market.

The Brahmanbaria District Chemist and Druggist Association began the strike for an indefinite period at 6am. They, however, called off their strike at around 4:30pm, citing significant difficulties of patients in accessing essential medicines, with around 1,000 pharmacies across the town remaining closed.

The market adjacent to the college houses 14 shops, most of which are pharmacies. Recently, college authorities decided to demolish the shops as students demanded the removal of these establishments to facilitate the construction of a new gate and boundary wall.

Pharmacy owners, however, insist that their businesses operate legally and in full compliance with government regulations. 

They said the college authorities abruptly issued an eviction notice, something they described as unjust and inhumane. The druggist association eventually declared the indefinite closure of all pharmacies in the municipal area.

After calling of their strike, pharmacy owners demanded that the college authorities postpone its decision at least for six months. Otherwise, they warned, the fresh protest programme will be announced.