The Bangladesh Road Transport Owners’ Association has decided to keep public transport running across the country, including in the capital, on Thursday (November 13) — the day of the banned Awami League’s announced ‘Dhaka Lockdown’ program.
The association’s Joint General Secretary, Kazi Md. Zobaer Masud, confirmed the decision to the media on Wednesday (November 12) evening.
He stated that, as on regular days, all types of public transport, including buses, will continue to operate on Thursday. However, to prevent any acts of arson or sabotage, letters have been sent to all transport owners and terminal authorities, urging them to remain alert. Each bus has also been instructed to carry fire extinguishers.
Zobaer Masud further said that, following the recent arson attack in Phulbaria, Mymensingh — in which one transport worker was killed and two others were injured — transport workers held protest demonstrations at all bus terminals across the country on Wednesday. He added that workers would stay on guard at terminals throughout Wednesday night and Thursday to prevent any untoward incidents.
It is noteworthy that, ahead of the banned Awami League’s program, several incidents of arson and crude bomb explosions occurred in Dhaka and other parts of the country on Tuesday and Wednesday, resulting in reduced vehicle movement on the roads.