Some long-route vehicles plied different highways with police protection on Saturday, the first day of the opposition’s latest 83-hour blockade amid arson and vandalism by the blockaders.
UNB Munshiganj correspondent reports: BRTC buses and buses of other companies were seen plying the Dhaka-Maowa and Dhaka-Chittagong routes today.
BIWTC manager Sirajul Haq said over 700 vehicles crossed Padma river through Maowa-Keorakandi ferry route till 4 pm today. Besides, 400 other vehicles have been waiting on Maowa and Keoprakandi terminals for crossing the river.
Police Super Md Habibur Rahman said sufficient security measures have been taken for smooth movement of vehicles.
“Bus movement was relatively higher than the other blockade days”, he said.
Our Gaibandha correspondent reports: Blockaders went on a rampage at different points on Dhaka-Rangpur highway in Polashbari upazila during the blockade on Saturday.
The unruly opposition activists set fire to four buses at Jundaha in Polashbari upazila and vandalised at least three vehicles, leaving 20 passengers injured.
They also vandalised 16 moving vehicles in Moheshpur and Dreamland areas on the highway under police protection.
Police fired teargas shells and rubber bullets to disperse the blockaders.
In Bogra, blockaders vandalised at least 15 moving vehicles on Dhaka-Bogra highway in Shahjahanpur upazila around 12 noon when they were crossing the area with police and army protection.
Police brought the situation under control by firing rubber bullets.
Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan on Wednesday said long-route vehicles will run on highways from Friday defying the opposition’s blockade and hartal programmes.
“The government has taken all-out measures to ensure the safe movement of vehicles on highways,” he said.
Source: UNBConnect
