Md. Dil, Sirajganj
An indefinite strike has begun at petrol pumps in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions of North Bengal. The strike has been called by the Rajshahi division of the Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association to protest the Roads and Highways Department's eviction drive of various petrol pumps without notice.
All types of fuel sales at petrol pumps have been closed since 8am on Wednesday (February 5).
In addition, oil extraction and supply from the Baghabari depot in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj has been suspended.
Earlier, the matter was confirmed in a notification on Tuesday (February 4) night by the President of the Rajshahi Division of the Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association (BAPOA) and the Secretary General of the Central Association, freedom fighter Md. Mizanur Rahman Ratan, and the General Secretary of the Rajshahi Division of the Association Md. Abdul Jalil.
The notice stated that on February 4, the Roads and Highways Department of Naogaon district conducted a sudden eviction drive without issuing any notice or formal letter. The petrol pump owners are extremely disappointed and angry as a result of this unreasonable and unfair drive.
It further states that for a long time, the petrol pump owners have been operating their business by following all the rules set by the government and following valid licenses. They have been playing an important role in the country's economy by providing regular revenue. Even though the business has been operating for a long time, such an eviction drive has never been carried out in the past. This has created concern and dissatisfaction among us.
Earlier, on Tuesday (February 4) night, leaders of the Rajshahi Divisional Petrol Pump and Dealer Owners Association, Sirajganj District Petrol Pump and Dealer Owners Association, Baghabari Ghat Pump Owners Association and North Bengal Tank-Lorry Cooperative Association made the announcement after a meeting at the North Bengal Tank-Lorry Workers Union office in Baghabari, Shahjadpur, Sirajganj.
Confirming the matter, Azizur Rahman, president of the North Bengal Tank-Lorry Workers Union, said that the owners' association has announced to stop selling oil at all petrol pumps in the northern region in protest against the vandalism of petrol pumps without notice. The decision was taken at a joint meeting of the owners' and workers' associations at the Baghabari office at night.
He also said that the Roads and Highways Department inspected several petrol pumps without any notice and declared them illegal by miking them. Despite discussing the matter with senior administration officials, a new eviction drive was launched and several petrol pumps were demolished. However, everyone has been doing business legally on lease from the Roads and Highways Department. Currently, some officials of the Roads and Highways Department are asking to buy the land instead of leasing it. Although the oil traders have agreed to buy the land, the officials of the Roads and Highways Department said that they will not write off the land. Due to differences of opinion on this, the roads and highways are completely
