BNP’s Sylhet divisional rally, slated for November 19 at the Government Alia Madrasa field in the city, has been plagued with transport strikes called by several organisations.  

Habiganj Motor Owners’ group on Thursday called for an indefinite strike on movement of buses, demanding an end to “administrative harassment” and halting illegal three-wheelers.  

On the other hand, Sylhet district Workers’ Solidarity Council called a 12-hour strike from 6:00am to 6:00pm on Saturday on movement of all types of vehicles to press home their four-point demands.  

Besides, Sylhet district Road Transport Owners’ Association also called a dawn to dusk strike on Saturday in Sylhet on their two-point demand including for not issuing any new license for CNG-run auto rickshaw.

Fazlur Rahman, president of Habiganj Motor Owners’ group, at a press conference at Habiganj municipality bus terminal on Thursday claimed that there was no link between their strike and the BNP rally.

Read more: BNP's rally the cue for Sylhet transport bodies to strike

He said they took the decision to enforce the strike in protest against the administrative actions to send back their buses from Salamatpur bus stand in Nabiganj on Thursday.  

Several leaders of the group were present at the press conference.

On the other hand, Md Zakaria, general secretary of Sylhet district Workers Solidarity Council, said they would continue the strike until their four-point demand, including for giving permission to lift stones from all quarries in the district and stopping movement of three-wheelers on the highway, is met.

Accommodation and food were managed for BNP leaders and activists, who would join the rally from remote areas, party insiders informed.

Abdul Kaium, president of Sylhet district unit BNP, alleged that the transport organizations called the strikes under pressure from the government.

“No conspiracy will be able to halt the mass gathering of the party men,” he claimed.

BNP will hold its seventh divisional rally on November 19.

Read more: Commuters hit as 2-day bus strike begins in Khulna

Leaders and activists of Sadar upazila of the party had already been asked to come to the city a few days earlier. The same instruction was given to the upazila-level leaders and activists of the party.

BNP on September 27 announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional and big cities. The party will end its divisional rallies through a mass gathering in Dhaka city on December 10.