Selim Talukder from Shahjadpur:

Agitating workers of Tank-Lorries under the banner of North Bengal Tank-Lorry Workers’ Union, Baghabari Ghat unit, on Sunday staged demonstration by blocking Bogura-Nagorbari Highway near Baghabari Ghat area in Shahzadpur upazila of Sirajganj district protesting to the alleged extortion of the local Potazia BNP leaders.

The demonstration that started at 9:00am and continued till 4:00pm halted movement of all vehicles on the both sides of the highway causing long gridlock of vehicles and immense sufferings to the commuters.

Shahjadpur Police Station OC Aslam Ali said that, the Tank Lorry workers, who were protesting against BNP leaders and activists for extortion were persuaded and removed from the road. After that, the situation on the Pabna-Dhaka and Bogura-Nagorbari highway started returning to normalcy from 1:00 pm.

Azizur Rahman Gayda, President of the North Bengal Tank-Lorry Workers Union, said, “On Saturday night, leaders and activists of the Potazia Union BNP attacked the North Bengal Tank-Lorry Workers Union office in Baghabari demanding extortion.

“We blocked the highway and held protest programme demanding arrest and punishment of those involved in the extortion. We also demanded removal of the leaders and activists from the party.”

However, denying the allegations of extortion, Azizur Rahman Anis, General Secretary of the Potazia Union BNP, said, “BNP leaders and activists do not extort, but the leaders and activists of the Tank-Lorry Workers Union are involved with various crimes including stealing of oil, drug trading and extorting on highway.”

OC Aslam Ali said that, legal action would be taken, if any case is filed over extortion.