Bus services on six routes from Char Kauwa Bus Terminal in Barishal Sadar upazila were suspended on Monday morning amid a dispute over the operation of three-wheelers and battery-run autorickshaws on roads.Leaders of the bus owners’ association and workers’ union halted services from the terminal from the morning of November 2, disrupting the journeys of thousands of passengers.Around 70 buses operate daily on six routes from the terminal, including DC Road, Laxmipasha, Laharhat, Kataria, Halta and Siddik Bazar. The terminal serves several thousand passengers on an average day.The sudden suspension left commuters struggling to reach their destinations. Many were forced to use motorcycles and rickshaws at higher fares.Sohrab Hawlader, a passenger travelling from Barishal to Nehalganj, said he had to pay extra for alternative transport because bus services were unavailable.Another passenger, Amena Khatun, said she arrived at Char Kauwa terminal for urgent work only to find all bus services suspended. She was left with no choice but to seek alternative transport at additional cost and inconvenience.Dispute Over Three-WheelersThe suspension followed a dispute on Sunday among bus operators, three-wheeler owners and workers, and battery-run autorickshaw operators at Char Kauwa Bus Terminal.Bus owners and workers demanded a ban on three-wheelers on highways and regional roads, alleging that these vehicles frequently caused accidents and created serious safety risks by competing with buses on the roads.They called for the immediate removal of unauthorised vehicles from the roads.However, Mamun Khandaker, president of the bus owners’ association, alleged that although they tried to resume bus services on Monday morning, three-wheeler and autorickshaw drivers obstructed their operations.He called for urgent administrative intervention to resolve the dispute and restore normal bus services.
Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice-President Sadiq Kayem has criticised Bangladesh’s minimum monthly wage of Tk 12,500 for garment workers, questioning why workers should bear the consequences of the government’s alleged failure to negotiate better prices with international buyers.He pointed out that Vietnam, one of Bangladesh’s main competitors in the garment industry, offers nearly double the minimum wage yet remains ahead of Bangladesh in garment exports.“If Vietnam can pay nearly double the minimum wage and still outperform Bangladesh in garment exports, why should workers bear the burden of the government’s failure to negotiate with international buyers?” he asked.Kayem said Bangladesh has one of the highest inflation rates in South Asia, making it difficult for garment workers to meet their own and their families’ expenses on a monthly wage of Tk 12,500.Ensuring fair wages for workers is not only a fundamental right but also essential to the future of the country’s garment industry, he said.Government Criticised Over Handling of Labour UnrestThe DUCSU VP alleged that the government had failed to address the wage dispute from the outset. Instead of resolving the issue through negotiations before tensions escalated, authorities resorted to police attacks, assaults and indiscriminate arrests after the protests began, he claimed.He argued that the government’s failure to handle the situation had created an opportunity for the ousted Awami League to exploit the unrest.Calls for Fair Wages Through DialogueReferring to the aspirations of the July movement, Kayem said the movement sought to establish a Bangladesh free from discrimination, where justice would be ensured for students, workers, farmers, the middle class and people from all walks of life.He urged garment owners and worker representatives to sit down with the government and reach an agreement on a dignified wage without further delay.The government, he said, should not use allegations of provocation to deflect criticism of its own failures or ignore workers’ legitimate demands.Only when workers survive can the country survive, Kayem said.
BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that domestic and foreign quarters are conspiring to put the government in a difficult position by exploiting labour unrest and creating instability in the country.He made the remarks during an exchange of views with journalists at a hotel in Sylhet city on Monday afternoon.Rizvi claimed that defeated political forces were attempting to bring workers onto the streets by misleading them. He also alleged that evidence had emerged linking leaders and activists of the Awami League to the incidents.According to Rizvi, police arrested 11 leaders and activists of the Chhatra League and Jubo League from the scene on Sunday. He further claimed that an organising secretary of Jagannath University Chhatra League had acknowledged their activities in a social media post.The BNP leader said various attempts were being made to create social unrest. However, he maintained that the BNP, which had campaigned for democracy for 17 years, believed in tolerance.He said the government had adopted a firm stance against extortion, muscle-flexing, land grabbing and disorder, adding that a zero-tolerance policy was being followed against such crimes.Referring to political movements in 1994, 1995 and 1996 against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Rizvi said people were also aware of how several political leaders faced the death penalty during the Awami League's subsequent tenure.He claimed that attempts to create political uncertainty and put the BNP in a difficult position would not succeed.Rizvi said the people of Bangladesh believed in democracy and wanted to elect a government through free and fair elections. He claimed that the BNP and its alliance, led by Tarique Rahman, had come to power through the February 12 election.He added that the people would not accept attempts to seize power through clandestine means or by using the backdoor.BNP to Prioritise Winnable CandidatesOn candidate selection for the upcoming local government elections, Rizvi said district and upazila-level leaders would consult among themselves to select suitable candidates.Candidates with greater public support and a stronger chance of winning would receive priority, he said.He added that the nomination process would gain momentum after the election schedule was announced. Party activities would be organised in line with the announced dates for voting and submission of nomination papers.Among those present at the meeting were BNP Standing Committee member Professor Farhad Halim Donar, Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, central executive committee joint organising secretary Mifta Siddiqui, lawmakers Advocate Emran Ahmad Chowdhury and Abdul Malek Chowdhury, along with other party leaders.
The Appellate Division’s Chamber Court has dismissed a petition filed by the state challenging the bail granted to former Member of Parliament Major Akhtaruzzaman.As a result, the bail granted to him by the High Court remains in force. Chamber Justice Md Rezaul Haque passed the order on Monday.Earlier, Akhtaruzzaman secured bail from the High Court. The state subsequently filed a petition before the Appellate Division’s Chamber Court challenging the legality of the bail order.After hearing arguments from both sides on Monday, the court dismissed the state’s petition, leaving the High Court’s bail order unchanged.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid has warned that fertiliser dealers will lose their licences if irregularities or corruption are detected in fertiliser management. Officials found involved in such misconduct will also face strict departmental action.He issued the warning at a meeting on fertiliser supply for the upcoming Rabi season at the conference room of the Ministry of Agriculture at the Secretariat on Monday.The meeting was attended online by deputy commissioners (DCs) from all districts and deputy directors of the Department of Agricultural Extension. Agriculture Secretary Md Selim Khan chaired the meeting.Emphasising strict monitoring of fertiliser distribution, the minister said licences of newly appointed dealers would be cancelled if specific allegations of irregularities, corruption or harassment of farmers were substantiated. Departmental action would also be taken promptly against officials found involved in misconduct.He stressed transparency and accountability in fertiliser management, directing authorities to clearly define the service areas of new dealers based on the amount of farmland, the number of farmers and cropping intensity.The minister instructed officials to ensure that every dealer displayed fertiliser prices and stock information prominently at their shops. Mobile courts and regular drives should be conducted to prevent artificial shortages, overcharging, hoarding and cross-border smuggling.He also emphasised the use of farmer cards and official farmer lists to ensure fertiliser reaches genuine farmers at government-fixed prices.Adequate Supply, Tighter Border SurveillanceAminur Rashid said fertiliser supplies this year had exceeded demand compared with previous years. Although there had been no significant expansion in the cultivation of new crops, the government was prepared to meet any increase in demand.He called for heightened surveillance in border districts, warning that differences in non-urea fertiliser prices and demand in neighbouring areas, as well as urea shortages in some places, could encourage smuggling from Bangladesh.“Under no circumstances should fertiliser be allowed to be smuggled out of the country,” he said.The minister noted that the government provides substantial subsidies on fertiliser, stressing that the benefits must reach genuine farmers.He said reports of fertiliser shortages alongside adequate stocks in warehouses or incidents of smuggling could indicate attempts to create artificial shortages. DCs would be held accountable for fertiliser-related irregularities in their respective districts, he added.Action Against Industrial MisuseThe minister also warned against the misuse of urea fertiliser as an industrial raw material. He instructed authorities to take prompt legal action against textile and dyeing factories if evidence emerged that they were using urea fertiliser for industrial purposes.He further directed district-level fertiliser monitoring committees to hold regular meetings to assess the situation and ensure proper oversight of fertiliser distribution.
West Bengal actress Madhumita Sarkar is set to make her Dhallywood debut with Gulshaner Chameli, directed by Mohammad Iqbal, with shooting scheduled to begin on December 1.Speculation recently surfaced on social media that Madhumita had withdrawn from the project. However, director Mohammad Iqbal has dismissed the reports, saying preparations are proceeding as planned.Speaking about the rumours, Iqbal said the film’s pre-production work is nearing completion. The first day of shooting is scheduled to take place on the second floor of Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC), where the actress is expected to be present.According to the director, Madhumita is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on November 28. Set construction at BFDC is also expected to begin this month.Madhumita has also addressed the speculation, noting that rumours frequently circulate on social media. She said she did not wish to comment on such claims and recalled facing negative remarks after joining the project.Written by Abdullah Zahir Babu, Gulshaner Chameli explores political influence, abuse of power and the darker realities of elite society. The story centres on a sex worker who repeatedly becomes a victim of powerful individuals despite committing no crime.The film also features Rozina, Azmeri Haque Badhon, Omar Sani, Amin Khan, Bapparaj and Misha Sawdagor.If everything proceeds as scheduled, filming will begin on December 1 at BFDC.
সহজ ও দ্রুত খবরের আপডেট পেতে আমাদের অ্যাপটি ইন্সটল করুন।
