Shipping and War of Liberation Affairs Minister Shahjahan Khan on Wednesday said the government will give protection to all vehicles that will ply on highways from Friday defying the opposition blockade programme. “We have decided to operate all types of transport, including the long-distance buses, from Friday during the opposition’s hartal and blockade programmes. The government will ensure safety of the vehicles,” Shajahan Khan, also the Executive President of Bangladesh Road Transport Workers’ Federation, told reporters after a meeting with transport leaders and workers at the Secretariat.
He further said concerned deputy commissioners, superintendents of police, local administrations, local public representatives and local transport owners and worker’s unions will take necessary steps in this regard.
Passenger’s safety will be ensured, the minister said in reply to a query on safety of drivers and passengers, adding, “If the buses, passengers, drivers and their assistants are affected they would be compensated by the government. Adequate measures have already been taken at different places to help the drivers operate their transports safely.”
As per the demand of transport workers and owners, the minister said legal action will be taken against those who will carry out acts of sabotage.
A meeting will be held on Thursday to finalise the measures, the minister added.
Shajahan Khan said, at least 40-45 drivers and helpers were killed during opposition’s hartal and blockade programmes over the last few months, and the family members of 16 victims received compensations from the government.
Secretary general of Bangladesh Road Transport Association Khandaker Enayetullah, who was present at the meeting, said: “We’ll ply vehicles on highways, but the government will have to ensure our security.”
Among others, General secretary of Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation, Rustom Ali Khan, leaders and workers of Bus Owners and Workers Association and high officials concerned of law-enforcing agencies were present at the meeting.
BNP-led 18-party alliance has been enforcing strikes and blockades relentlessly since November 26 to stop holding of the 10th parliament polls due on January 5.
-With The Independent input
