Bus, CNG auto-rickshaw services remain halted for 2nd day in Bhola

Internal bus and CNG-run auto-rickshaw services across five routes in Bhola remain suspended for the second consecutive day today (5 May), following a violent clash among transport workers that erupted yesterday (4 May), causing severe hardship for passengers.

According to police and locals, the conflict began around 5:00pm yesterday near the Bangla Bazar–Joynagar School area on the Bhola-Charfassion road.

The dispute reportedly started over issues related to passenger boarding and traffic congestion, eventually escalating into a physical confrontation.

Locals alleged that as tensions flared, at least 16 bus workers were assaulted. In response, bus services were suspended from Sunday evening in protest.

Mizanur Rahman, president of the Bus and Minibus Workers' Union, claimed, "CNG drivers launched simultaneous attacks on bus workers at five locations. Around 15 to 16 bus workers were injured, five buses were seized, and three were vandalised. We had no choice but to call a strike."

In a counterclaim, Md Zakir Hossain, president of the CNG Auto-Rickshaw Owners and Workers' Association, accused bus workers of retaliatory violence.

"After the bus strike was announced, several CNGs were vandalised and one was set ablaze at the bus stand. In protest, CNG drivers later seized two buses in Lalmohon but refrained from damaging them," he said.

Amid the mutual accusations and violence, the Bus Workers' Union declared an indefinite strike on Sunday evening. CNG drivers also halted operations, citing assaults and safety concerns.

The strike has brought transportation across five key internal routes in Bhola to a standstill, severely affecting commuters, especially those travelling from Charfassion, Lalmohon, and Tajumuddin.