Locals blocked the Khulna-Satkhira highway in Dumuria upazila bazar area on
Wednesday demanding that Nasiman and Kariman – locally-made three wheelers – be
allowed to ply the highway.
Sources said about 300 local people, including drivers of the shallow engine-run vehicles,
put up barricade on the highway in the area around 11.00am demanding withdrawal of
restriction on the service of the vehicles on the highway and an end to harassment of their
operators by police.
Due to the blockade, vehicular movement on the highway was disrupted, creating
immense suffering to the commuters.
Around 11:30am, Narayan Chandra Chandra, ruling party MP from Khulna-5
constituency, visited the barricade site and expressed solidarity with the demand of the
agitators.
On information, police rushed to the spot and the agitating people left the scene at about
12.00pm on assurance of placing the matter for discussion at the upcoming district coordination meeting.
A high police official on condition of anonymity said the Communications Ministry
prohibited plying of Nasiman and Kariman on the highways across the country to avoid
risks of accidents.
In this situation, he questioned, how a ruling party legislator could express solidarity with
the demand.
On the other hand, Anwar Hossain Sona, joint secretary of Khulna Bus-Mini Bus
Owners’ Association, threatened to go for a tougher movement if the permission for
plying the locally-made vehicles was given on the highway. –UNB, Khulna
