An indefinite transport strike has disrupted bus services across Habiganj since Thursday morning, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at bus terminals and along major roads as the dispute between transport operators in Habiganj and Moulvibazar escalated.

The strike, called by the Habiganj Motor Owners’ Group, has halted both local and long-distance bus services in the district. The group announced the programme in protest against alleged detention of Habiganj buses in Moulvibazar and alleged assaults and harassment of transport workers.

Among those affected was Shahana Akter, who travelled from Baniachong to Habiganj town with her young children. She was planning to visit her husband in Sylhet’s Shahparan area and take her sick child for necessary medical tests.

After travelling a considerable distance, she reached the Habiganj bus stand only to find that bus services had been suspended.

As a mother, travelling with young children is difficult enough. I also have a sick child who needs medical tests, and I need to reach my husband. After coming all this way, finding that all bus services were suspended left me completely helpless, she said.

We are ordinary people and depend on public transport. I do not want to blame anyone. I only want those responsible to consider the suffering of ordinary passengers, particularly sick children, women, elderly people and people travelling for urgent reasons, she added.

The transport dispute centres on bus operations along the Habiganj-Moulvibazar-Sylhet route. According to the Habiganj Motor Owners’ Group, three of its buses were detained in Moulvibazar, while transport workers were allegedly assaulted and vehicles vandalised. The group says previous meetings failed to produce a lasting solution.

Abu Moin Chowdhury Sohel, general secretary of the Habiganj Motor Owners’ Group, said drivers and workers of its Biratihin Express buses had allegedly been stopped at Sherpur by people associated with SMS Transport in Moulvibazar.

He alleged that vehicles were vandalised, workers assaulted and three buses were being held near the SMS Transport office.

The owners and workers therefore decided to continue the strike indefinitely until their demands are addressed and Habiganj buses can operate on the route without obstruction, he said.

The shutdown has also affected passengers travelling by train.Shafiqul Islam, who was travelling to Sylhet, said he had already purchased a train ticket but could not reach Shayestaganj Railway Station because of the transport disruption.

I have important work and need to travel urgently, but there is no way to get to the railway station. I have no choice but to return, he said.

Nasrin Akter, another passenger, said she had been waiting at the bus stand since morning with her young child.

I have been wandering around the bus stand since morning. Travelling with a young child in this situation has been extremely difficult. Ordinary people should not have to suffer like this,  she said.

Police maintain watch on major highways

Police have meanwhile maintained a heightened presence at key points along the Dhaka-Sylhet highway to prevent vandalism, accidents and any deterioration of the situation.

Mominul Islam, officer-in-charge of the Shreemangal-Satgaon Highway Police Station, told Sylhet today News on Thursday evening that he and members of his team were positioned at the Kamaichhara Police Outpost point.

Several long-distance buses were seen stationary at the point, while a similar situation was observed on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway bypass, he said.

However, the officer said there had been no reports of vandalism or any other untoward incident.

Transport workers are stopping some buses for 10 to 15 minutes, and in some cases around 30 minutes, before allowing them to leave,” he said.

He added that he and his team were maintaining a vigilant position to prevent any form of vandalism, sabotage or road accident and to ensure that the situation remained under control.

Moulvibazar side denies allegations

Abdur Rahim Ripon, general secretary of the Moulvibazar district BNP and president of the SMS Bus Owners’ Association, denied the allegations made by the Habiganj Motor Owners’ Group.

He said the dispute had been moving towards a settlement, but alleged that people associated with the Habiganj Motor Owners’ Group later attacked and vandalised an SMS Paribahan counter in Sreemangal.

The situation had been relatively calm and we were moving towards a solution. But the attack and vandalism made the situation much worse,” he said.

The two sides have been involved in a prolonged dispute over bus operations between Habiganj, Sreemangal,

Moulvibazar, Sherpur and Sylhet. Previous attempts at resolving the dispute have included meetings involving transport representatives and administrative officials.

For now, however, it is ordinary passengers who are bearing the immediate consequences of the dispute.

For Shahana, the priority is much more personal.My only wish is that my child gets well, that we can reach my husband safely and that my child can receive the necessary medical tests and treatment. May Allah ease everyone’s suffering,” she said.