Passengers from neighboring districts and city outskirts faced a huge challenge to travel to the capital city, Dhaka, on Saturday because of lack of vehicles on streets amid BNP’s anti-government rally.

Launch services towards Dhaka and Narayanganj river terminals also remained suspended, causing sufferings to the people.

The operations of long-haul buses on Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Tangail highways were also disrupted.

A general strike-like situation was prevailing as no long-haul buses left Gazipur, and some local buses that started plying with passengers had to return from Chandna intersection being obstructed by law enforcers, UNB’s Gazipur correspondent reported.

The number of light vehicles like auto-rickshaw, human haulers were also thin. A few that were moving were carrying extra loads of passengers with demand of increased fare, alleged some angry passengers.

Meanwhile, police searched vehicles and the passengers at different points of the highways and railway stations.

Lawyer Sharif Hossain from Kanaiya area said police took him for questioning from Joydebpur railway station on Saturday morning as he went to get on a Tongi-bound train.

“I am not involved with any political activities of the BNP, '' he told UNB.

In Keraniganj, police put a barricade and the ruling party activists took position at Babu Bazar bridge, Postogola bridge and Basila bridge, and on Dhaka-Mawa road and Nawabganj-Dohar road from 6:00 am on Saturday.

As the main entry points to the capital city remained blocked, passengers and hospital-going patients had to turn back.

Besides, the activists of Keraniganj Upazila Awami League, Jubo League and Bangladesh Chhatra League have stopped the movement of public and all types of transport from Bosila bridge, Dhaka-Mawa Road, Kodomtoli, Jinjira Ferry terminal and Kholamora Launch terminal.

Dhaka District Superintendent of Police Asaduzzaman said that they have remained on high alert to prevent any attempts of sabotage by BNP leaders, activists and protect public vehicles and property.

Additional Superintendent of Police of Keraniganj Circle, Shahabuddin Kabir, said that sufficient police patrolled at different areas of Keraniganj since Friday to provide security to the public.

“Police will work on the security for the vehicles and goods till the celebration of Victory Day on December 16,” he added.

From Chandpur all 35 launches that carry thousands of passengers to Dhaka and Narayanganj everyday remained suspended from early hours of Saturday.

MV Eagle and Mayur launch services supervisor Ali Asgar said, “We were told in the morning that the launch services will remain closed so we kept the launches away from the terminal. A huge number of passengers have returned from the terminal since morning.”

However, Shahadat Hossain, Chandpur river port officer, said that launch services to Dhaka and Narayanganj have been stopped since 6:00 am on Saturday and it was the decision of the launch owners.

“Only the owners know why they suspended the launch movement and when they will resume it. There was no official order or prohibition made in this regard” he said.

Moni Begum from Hajiganj said she was waiting with her children for the launch to go to Dhaka since morning, but now everything is uncertain.

Pradeep and Jewel, two students from Faridganj and Raipur, said that they came to travel by launch to Dhaka this morning to save time, but now they will have to wait.

“The launch services might resume in the afternoon. Not many launches are coming from Dhaka and Narayanganj either”, said MV Eagle and Mayur launch supervisor Ali Asgar.