Fuel supply stopped in 8 districts of North due to indefinite trunk strike

Photo: CNI

Dinajpur Correspondent: In protest against the imprisonment and fines imposed on three tank lorry workers in Nilphamari through a mobile court, workers have halted the supply of diesel, petrol, and octane across eight northern districts since Sunday morning. As a result, no fuel has been received at the Railway Head Oil Depot in Parbatipur, Dinajpur. If the sudden strike is not resolved quickly, the transportation of goods as well as all types of vehicles—including buses and trucks—may come to a halt.

Leaders of the Rangpur Divisional Tank Lorry Workers’ Union have called an indefinite strike, demanding that within the next 24 hours, the punishment be withdrawn, the detained workers be released, and the NDC (Nezarat Deputy Collector) of Nilphamari, Niaz Bhuiyan, be removed.

Relevant authorities are trying to initiate discussions to end the strike.

According to sources, yesterday (Saturday), a tank lorry carrying oil from Jamuna Company broke down due to a mechanical fault near Jail Gate in Nilphamari town while en route from the Parbatipur Railway Head Depot to a designated filling station. During the repairs, a mobile court was convened on allegations of stealing 13 liters of fuel. The filling station manager, Ekramul Haque, the driver Shri Krishna, and assistant Rifat were each sentenced to six months in prison and fined 100,000 taka by Nilphamari’s NDC Niaz Bhuiyan and sent to jail.

In protest, tank lorry workers began an indefinite strike across eight northern districts from Sunday morning, demanding withdrawal of the punishment, release of the workers, and removal of the NDC. Fuel supply of diesel, petrol, and octane has been suspended. Leaders of the Petrol Pump Owners’ Association have also expressed support for the strike.

Ataur Rahman, General Secretary of the Rangpur Divisional Tank Lorry Workers’ Union, stated that the administration has not yet invited them for discussions to resolve the issue. The strike will continue until their demands are met. However, he added that no one will be obstructed if they wish to collect fuel from depots.

If the strike continues, there are concerns that transportation of goods and passengers may be severely disrupted due to fuel shortages in the eight districts of the division: Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Kurigram, and Lalmonirhat.