Clashes throughout the day in Dinajpur; buses set on fire and vandalized

Clashes broke out between two factions of workers in Dinajpur protesting the arrest of Sheikh Badsha, a leader of the Motor Transport Workers' Union.

The clashes occurred in several phases throughout Thursday, both inside and outside the Kotwali police station. At least 15 people from both sides were reportedly injured. The injured were admitted to various hospitals in the district headquarters.

According to sources, undercover police arrested labor leader Sheikh Badsha at the Maharaja Bot Tola (Rajarhat) area of the city around 9:30 PM on Wednesday. Sheikh Badsha is the joint general secretary of the Dinajpur District Motor Transport Workers' Union and a former leader of the district Labor League.

Following his arrest, a faction of workers supporting Badsha blocked all entry points to the district headquarters from 6 AM on Thursday. At that time, they parked buses and trucks across the highway and held protests, causing severe suffering to passengers.

Later, around 10 AM, Badsha's group staged a protest by besieging the police station. At that time, when another faction of workers arrived at the scene, clashes erupted between the two sides. Several people from both sides were injured. After this incident, Badsha's supporters continued their sit-in, surrounding the police station.

On the other hand, the other faction of workers also took position a short distance away from the police station. Around 3 PM, the opposing group chased away Badsha's supporters. During this, two buses were set on fire and several others were vandalized. Fire service personnel later brought the burning buses under control.

Aminul Islam, Assistant Director of Dinajpur Fire Service, told Agami Samay that they received the information around 3 PM and went to the scene, where they saw two buses on fire. They later brought the fires under control.

Meanwhile, around 3:30 PM, arrested Sheikh Badsha was taken to court under heavy security. He was later sent to jail through the court around 4 PM. After that, vehicular movement on the road in front of the police station returned to normal. However, bus services from the district bus terminal remain suspended.

Sabina Yasmin, wife of arrested Sheikh Badsha, said, "My husband is not currently involved in any political activities. I came to know about the case against him only after his arrest. I demand his release."

Meanwhile, the protesting workers said that the triennial election of the Motor Transport Workers' Union is scheduled for September 19. Sheikh Badsha was preparing to contest for the post of general secretary in that election. They claimed that these events were orchestrated to keep him away from the election.
Meanwhile, considering the ongoing situation, the triennial election of the Motor Transport Workers' Union has been postponed.

Regarding these matters, Md. Abdul Halim, Additional Superintendent of Police of Dinajpur Sadar Circle, told Agami Samay that three cases are pending against labor leader Sheikh Badsha. When he was produced in court in connection with those cases, the judge sent him to jail.

When asked about the clashes inside the police station and the bus arson and vandalism, he said, "We were busy ensuring the security of the accused as both factions of workers were positioned at the police station. It is not possible to say right now who vandalized the buses outside the station. Action will be taken later after investigation."

Passengers suffered immense hardship throughout the day

Due to the workers' agitation and the suspension of long-route bus services from the district headquarters, passengers faced severe difficulties. The blockade with buses and trucks placed across the highway also disrupted auto-rickshaw movement. As a result, passengers had to travel within the city at inflated fares.

Md. Aminul, who had to change autos three times to go from Birganj to Dinajpur Medical College, told Agami Samay, "In the intense heat, the workers' agitation stopped bus services and blocked roads. Even auto-rickshaw movement was obstructed. I had to pay extra fare and endure hardship to visit a sick relative at the medical college. The same ordeal awaited me on my return."

Countless passengers like him had to endure extreme suffering throughout the day. Passengers complained that roads have been blocked for several days now due to workers' agitations, which has left the general public exasperated.