Transport workers blockade Dinajpur roads and besiege police station demanding release of union leader arrested in protest-related case
Photo Collected
DINAJPUR — Transport workers launched a massive protest and blockade in Dinajpur on Thursday, paralyzing road communications after police arrested a prominent transport union leader. The unrest, which saw protesters block major city entrances with buses and trucks, has forced officials to postpone the upcoming triennial election of the District Motor Transport Workers Union.
The agitation began at approximately 7:00 a.m. local time, following the arrest of Sheikh Badsha, joint general secretary of the District Motor Transport Workers Union. Detectives apprehended Badsha on Wednesday night in the Maharaj Batatali (Rajarhat) area. Police officials confirmed that Badsha was named in a criminal case related to attacks during the recent student-led mass uprising.
Tensions escalated by midday as the protesting workers fractured into opposing factions. Supporters of the detained leader confronted a rival group aligned with labor leader Md. Hiru. Witnesses reported that members of the Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the youth wings of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), were present at the scene supporting Hiru’s faction. Clashes and chasing incidents erupted outside the Kotwali Police Station around noon, resulting in several injuries.
By 12:30 p.m., intermittent skirmishes continued. While Badsha’s supporters occupied the road outside the station’s main gate, members of the local Swechchasebak Dal, including member secretary Farhad Hossain Plabon, were observed inside the station premises.
Sheikh Badsha, a former leader of the Jatiya Sramik League who claims to have resigned from the organization following the July uprising, was actively campaigning for the general secretary position in the union elections scheduled for September 19. His supporters allege that the arrest was politically motivated, orchestrated by rival candidates in collusion with certain local political figures to block his candidacy during the final window for nomination collection.
Sabina Yasmin, wife of the detained leader, denied that her husband is currently involved in political activities and accused opponents of harassing her when she attempted to visit him at the station. Conversely, Farhad Hossain of the Swechchasebak Dal defended the police action, stating that they arrived at the station to cooperate with law enforcement and prevent what he termed an attempt by a mob to forcibly liberate an accused suspect.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Abdul Halim stated that authorities are engaged in negotiations with senior labor leaders to restore order. Meanwhile, Assistant Election Commissioner Golam Nabi Dulal confirmed that the election committee has officially suspended the September 19 polls, citing the volatile security situation.
The blockade has severely disrupted inter-district and long-haul transport, with major access points at Dinajpur Government College intersection, Maharaja intersection, Phulbari bus stand, and Baluadanga intersection remaining obstructed. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as negotiations proceed.
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