Commuters faced a harrowing time on Saturday (October 22, 2022) morning as the 48-hour bus and launch strike in Khulna entered its second day.
However, defying all odds, thousands of opposition BNP leaders and activists have been gathering in front of Sonali Bank in the district town since morning ahead of the party's mass rally.
A reality check by UNB at Sonadanga Bus Terminal and near the Royal Intersection revealed that hundreds of commuters were waiting to hail public transport to reach their respective destinations.
Also read: BNP set to defy all obstacles as supporters start gathering for Khulna rally
Manira Sultana, a commuter, said that she had earlier bought a bus ticket for Dhaka. "I have been waiting at Sonadanga terminal for public transport since 8 am."
Mahmud Kamal, another person, said, “I have no idea what to do now. I would have purchased a train ticket for my destination had I known about the strike 4-5 days back."
Besides, a large number of job seekers in Khulna failed to appear in their examination under the Department of Social Welfare on Friday. Due to the lack of public transport, most of them failed to reach their exam centres on time.
Read Now, Khulna launch workers embark on 48-hour strike
Riad Hassan, a job aspirant, said, “I could not reach my exam hall due to lack of public transport. My dreams have been shattered."
On October 19, Khulna Bus-Minibus Owners' Association, in the presence of the Motor Workers’ Union leaders, announced their decision to go on a two-day strike on October 21 and 22.
The union leaders had said that the strike would be to protest against the movement of unauthorised three-wheelers, locally known as Nasiman, Kariman, and Bhatbhati.
Read Commuters hit as 2-day bus strike begins in Khulna
Their other demands included the shutting of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) bus counters at every nook and corner of the district.
