Sylhet truckers block roads for 18 hours protesting vandalism

Truckers of Sylhet haphazardly park their vehicles on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway yesterday protesting vandalism on around 30 trucks which had entered Sylhet city before 9:00pm on Friday night. Locals had demanded enforcement of the entry bar following the death of a 30-year-old local businessman after being run over by a speeding truck at the city's Pathantola on Wednesday night. The photo was taken from Humayun Rashid Square. Photo: Star

Truck workers ended an 18-hour road blockade in Sylhet city yesterday upon assurance of authorities' action against the people who vandalised 30 trucks on Friday night.
The protesters put the barricade at eight points around 9:00pm on Friday, blocking entry of vehicles and creating huge traffic snarl-up in the city.
They lifted the blockade, created with some 300 trucks, after holding a meeting with the district administration, police officials, and political leaders yesterday.
Locals and police said following the death of a 30-year-old local businessman by a speeding truck in Pathantola on Wednesday night, agitated locals put blockade on the roads in the area and demanded bar on entry of trucks into the city until 9:00pm.
The police authorities agreed to the demand and gave instructions accordingly, but 30 trucks entered the city before 9:00pm on Friday night.
Officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station Md Ataur Rahman said about 30 to 40 people broke glasses of about 30 trucks on Sunamganj road as they entered the city before 9:00pm. He said police were trying to arrest the vandals.
President of Sylhet District Truck Workers Union Abu Sarker said they lifted the barricade around 3:00pm after the authorities assured of them arresting the vandals.
Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Md Shahidul Islam and district Awami League General Secretary Shofiqur Rahman Chowdhury attended the meeting among others.