Commuters bear the brunt

Commuters have been suffering due to a two-day suspension of bus services on 18 routes from Khulna city which began yesterday, ahead of a BNP rally.

While visiting Phulbari Gate, Daulatpur, Notun Rasta Intersection, Ferry Ghat, Royal Chattar Gollamari and Sonadanga Bus Stand in the city, this correspondent found no buses plying on streets. Also, most of the bus counters remained closed.

Imran Sheikh Munna, a ticket seller at Seba Green Line at Sonadanga Bus Terminal, said yesterday, "None of our buses will leave and enter Khulna for the next two days. There is a possibility that buses could leave the city after 5:00pm tomorrow."

"Our buses only go to Abdullahpur in Dhaka from Khulna," he said.

Md Lavlu, a manager of Seba, told The Daily Star, "We have halted bus services as per the authorities' instructions."

When asked who are the authorities, he replied, "The bus owners' association."

Thakur Prasad Roy, a fish trader, went to a bus counter at Sonadanga to travel to Jashore but could not board any buses. "I need to go to Jashore anyway," he said.

A policeman was seen trying to get bus ticket at a counter to go to Magura.

"I know bus services are halted. But I needed to try my luck out anyway."

"I have been posted in Magura. So I need to be there at any cost," he said.

Khulna District Bus-Minibus Owners' Association has announced the closure of public transport ahead of the BNP rally to be held today at the city's Dakbangla. The association however claims they have taken the decision as movement of three-wheelers on the highway has not been stopped yet.

Meanwhile, test candidates for the post of class III social workers at the Department of Social Services were in trouble for the bus strike. A total of 13,376 candidates from Khulna had applied for the post. Their exams were held at 13 centres in the city yesterday, according to sources.

Khan Motahar Hossain, deputy director of Khulna District Social Service Office said, "The test was held simultaneously in 64 districts of Bangladesh. It's pre-announced."

Animesh Bain, who managed to go to the city from Koyra upazila to attend the test, said, "My house is 110 kilometres away from the city. Now I cannot return home as launch services have also been suspended."

Sources at Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority said the operation of all five launches from Khulna to Koyra has been suspended.