Fuel collection, marketing and transportation have been suspended in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions since Wednesday morning due to a wildcat strike enforced by Bangladesh Petroleum, Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners’ Association.
Rajshahi and Rangpur divisional chapters of the association went on strike together in protest against an eviction drive by Roads and Highways Department (RHD) in Boguar’s Santahar on Tuesday. Two petrol pumps were demolished during the drive, reported UNB.
In a statement, signed by Rajshahi chapter president Md Mizanur Rahman and general secretary Md Abdul Jalil, the decision to enforce the strike was made public on Tuesday shortly after the eviction drive.
Though it was scheduled to enforce the strike from 8am on Wednesday, most of refilling stations in Natore remained closed since 6am, crippling vehicle movement.
The statement reads the RHD conducted the eviction drive without any prior notice to the fuel pump authorities which was unprecedented.
Urging the petrol pump owners to observe the strike, the association sensed conspiracy against the government in the drive, according to the statement.
