Fuel oil supply stopped in 8 northern districts

The Tanker Truck Workers Union has started an indefinite strike in 8 districts of Rangpur division in protest against the imprisonment and fine of three workers, including a tanker driver, engaged in fuel oil transportation in a mobile court. The organization has been observing this program since Sunday (March 29) morning. As a result, fuel oil supply is stopped in 8 northern districts.
The indefinite strike has been started in protest against the six-month imprisonment and fine of three workers while transporting fuel oil. As a result, all activities, including fuel oil supply from the Parbatipur Railhead Oil Depot, have been suspended. Petrol pump owners have also expressed solidarity with the workers’ movement.
According to the workers, a lorry developed a mechanical fault while it was going towards Nilphamari with fuel oil. To fix it, they stopped the vehicle and opened the cabin and were doing repairs. At that time, Nilphamari district NDC Niaz Bhuiyan conducted a mobile court on the road. He searched the lorry and recovered 10 liters of petrol and 2 liters of diesel in two jars from inside the cabin.
Later, he imposed six months imprisonment on Ekramul Haque, driver Shri Krishnachandra and assistant Rifat on the charge of illegally carrying oil and imposed a total fine of one lakh taka on the three. In protest against this incident, the workers have started an indefinite strike from this morning. In the afternoon, they held a rally in front of the Parbatipur Railhead Oil Depot and later took out a protest procession.
They are continuing this program to protest against the workers’ complaints, police harassment on roads and highways and unreasonable jailing and fines of tanker drivers, managers and assistants. They have demanded the immediate removal of Niaz Bhuiyan and the unconditional release of the convicted workers. They have also announced to continue the movement if their demands are not met.
In this context, Rangpur Divisional Tanker Workers Union President Ataur Rahman said, the program will continue until the workers sent to jail are immediately released and the accused NDC Niaz Bhuiyan is removed. In this context, Rangpur Divisional Tanker Workers Union Joint General Secretary Manjurul Islam said, the strike is going on demanding the release of the workers sent to jail and fined. We have given an ultimatum to release the workers unconditionally and remove the NDC within 48 hours, our strike will continue. Pump owners have also expressed solidarity with us.