Prime mover drivers resume strike at Ctg DC Park, demand its closure
Prime mover drivers in Chattogram have once again gone on strike starting this morning (6 February) demanding the closure of DC Park.
According to protesting drivers and workers, the strike was called after a case was filed in connection with yesterday's clash at DC Park in Faujdarhat, Sitakunda.
Although the case was filed against unidentified individuals by Abul Khayer, general secretary of the Chattogram District Prime Mover and Trailer Workers' Union, drivers fear arrest and have refused to operate their vehicles.
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The strike led to severe traffic congestion on the Patenga-Agrabad road and disrupting loading and unloading operations at the Chattogram Port in the morning.
The mover drivers said they will continue their strike until their demand for the closure of DC Park is met.
Confirming the matter, Selim Khan, president of Chattogram Prime Mover Workers' Union, told The Business Standard at 5:30pm, "The authorities, including the District Administration, assured us during a meeting last night that the DC Park will be closed from today.
"We then withdrew our strike and the workers resumed work this morning. But when they found the DC Park open, they went on strike again."
The strike will continue until the authorities keep their commitment and close the DC Park as it has been causing severe traffic congestion on the Port-Fouzdar Hat connecting road, he added.
He also said, "There was traffic congestion on the Patenga-Agrabad Road in the morning until the afternoon due to parked prime movers on the roadside. We cleared the road in the afternoon and there is no congestion as of now [this evening]."
The strike began at 10:30am with many prime mover trucks parked along the roadside. By 11:00am, near Saltgola Crossing, drivers were seen gathering in front of the workers' union office near the Imam Sharif Filling Station.
Drivers demand case withdrawal
Mohammad Suman, a protesting driver, said, "We were assured during a meeting at the DC office that everything would be resolved. But later, we found out that a case was filed against unknown individuals last night. We could be arrested anytime. We demand the withdrawal of this case. Otherwise, we won't resume work."
Another driver named Shahab Uddin expressed his frustration over the lack of leadership during the strike, saying, "It's already 11:30am, and no union leader has come to address our concerns. They are trying to trap us in false cases."
Efforts to reach Union President Selim Khan and General Secretary Abul Khayer for comments were unsuccessful.
Mohammad Mainuddin, former president of the union, said the leaders failed to communicate their message clearly, which led to confusion and the strike.
"I run a transport business. Several of my prime movers have been stuck in the port for the last two days because vehicles are unable to leave due to the strike," he said, adding that traffic movement toward the port has also been hindered.
Due to the strike, there wass a long tailback along the Patenga-Agrabad route, severely impacting commuters. Many passengers were forced to walk to their destinations.
Saiful, a covered van driver, said, "My van has been stuck inside the port for two days. I was supposed to take goods to Dhaka, but now I can't move due to the strike. I thought the issue was resolved yesterday, but today, it's back again!"
This correspondent attempted to contact Kabir Ahmed, deputy commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police's Traffic Division (Port Unit), and Omer Faruque, secretary of Chattogram Port Authority, over the phone for comments on the issue. However, both officials remained unresponsive. The district administration could not be reached for comments over the issue either.
Clash at DC Park in Sitakunda
The strike stems from a clash that took place at DC Park in Sitakunda's Faujdarhat area. Following the incident, truck, lorry, and prime mover drivers blocked the road in front of the port for several hours on Tuesday (4 February) night. The protest escalated as drivers staged demonstrations near the Customs House and Saltgola Crossing, disrupting traffic in the city.
A meeting between military and police officials, government representatives, and labour union leaders on Wednesday (5 February) at 4:30am led to the withdrawal of the blockade.
However, workers announced a continued strike until their four-point demands were met.
After another two-hour meeting with the deputy commissioner yesterday evening, the strike was temporarily called off at around 9pm.
However, after the Sitakunda police case was filed, lorry drivers resumed their strike, leading to the ongoing disruption.
