Partial water transport strike continues

The indefinite water transport strike was observed partially yesterday, the fourth day of the country strike enforced by Bangladesh Noujan Sramik Federation.
Meanwhile, Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan termed the strike a conspiracy against the government and warned of tougher action against those involved.
The strike has been causing huge suffering to passengers. The number of passengers who came to the Sadarghat launch terminal in the city yesterday was higher than any other days during the strike.
Twenty-six launches left the Sadarghat terminal while 23 other launches anchored there yesterday, said a source at the senior deputy director's (traffic) office of Sadarghat launch terminal.
Talking to The Daily Star, Badiuzzaman Badal, senior vice-president of Bangladesh Inland Waterways (passenger carriers) Association, said they were operating launches regularly and the numbers of passengers are increasing day by day.
The leaders and activists of Noujan Sramik Federation yesterday expressed their determination to continue the strike until the unconditional release of the federation leaders.
Addressing a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity yesterday, they made the announcement and called for prime minister's intervention in resolving the deadlock.
A total of 11 leaders and activists of the federation, including its senior vice president Shah Alam, were arrested on charges of vandalism of the office of Bangladesh Noujan Sramik League and creating chaos in front of Sadarghat launch terminal on Saturday.
The police arrested two more members of the federation in this case from the Sadarghat area at around 9:00am yesterday. They are Taher, 30, and Monir Hossain, 40.
Meanwhile, a Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court yesterday granted one-day remand for Shah Alam after the police appealed for a four-day remand.
The federation enforced the strike on Friday night to press their demand for pay hike.
Our Chittagong correspondent reports: Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan at a view exchange meeting in Chittagong yesterday called on the inland water transport owners and anti-strike workers to unite against “illegal and partial strike” enforced by a section of workers.
He also warned of tougher action against those involved in the strike.
A total of 23 vessels remained stranded at the outer anchorage of Chitta-gong port due to the strike.
Our Barisal Correspondent reports: Seven launches left the terminals for Bhola, Charkalmi and Patarhat, while one launch left for Dhaka.