Fuel supply to 8 northern districts disrupted as tanker workers go on strike

Tanker workers in eight northern districts began an indefinite strike this morning (29 March) to protest the imprisonment and fines imposed on three of their colleagues in Nilphamari.

Due to the strike, no diesel, petrol or octane was lifted from the Railway Head Oil Depot in Parbatipur.

Leaders of the Rangpur Divisional Tanker Workers Union called the strike, demanding the release of the detained workers within 24 hours and the removal of Nilphamari Nezarat Deputy Collector (NDC) Niaz Bhuiyan.

If the situation persists, transport services, including buses and trucks, and the movement of goods may be severely disrupted.

However, discussions are underway between the concerned parties to resolve the issue and end the strike.

According to sources, the incident occurred yesterday (28 March) when a tanker carrying fuel from the Parbatipur Railway Head Depot developed a mechanical fault near the Nilphamari jail gate while on its way to a filling station.

A mobile court later arrested filling station manager Ekramul Haque, tanker driver Sri Krishna and his assistant Rifat, accusing them of stealing 13 litres of fuel. They were sentenced to six months in prison and fined Tk1 lakh by NDC Niaz Bhuiyan.

Following the incident, tanker workers launched the strike, halting fuel supply across Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Kurigram and Lalmonirhat.

The Petrol Pump Owners Association has expressed support for the workers' demands.

Ataur Rahman, general secretary of the Rangpur Divisional Tanker Workers Union, said the administration has not yet initiated discussions with them.

"The strike will continue until our demands are met. However, no one will be obstructed if they wish to take fuel from the depot," he said.

If the strike continues, there is a risk of a complete halt in both passenger and goods transport across the region due to fuel shortages.