All petrol pumps in the northern region have been shut down indefinitely from Wednesday morning in protest against a sudden eviction drive targeting roadside fuel stations.
The Rajshahi Divisional Petrol Pump Owners and Workers Unity Council called for the strike.
The announcement was confirmed on Tuesday night through an official statement signed by Mizanur Rahman Ratan, President of BAPEX, Rajshahi Division, and General Secretary of the Central Association, along with Abdul Jalil, General Secretary of BAPEX, Rajshahi Division.
As part of the strike, fuel supply and distribution from the Baghabari river port depot have also been suspended.
Earlier, a meeting was held at the Baghabari office of the North Bengal Tank Lorry Workers Union in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj. Following the meeting, Azizur Rahman, President of the Northern Region Tank Lorry Workers Union, announced the decision to shut down fuel stations.
According to an emergency statement from the organization, the Roads and Highways Department in Naogaon and Bogura district conducted the eviction drive on February 4 without prior notice, public announcement, or formal letter. The pump owners strongly condemned the action, calling it ‘unjust’ and ‘unwarranted.’
The statement further mentioned that petrol pump owners have been operating legally for years under government regulations, holding valid licenses, and contributing significantly to the national economy through tax payments. However, no such eviction drives had been conducted in the past, causing concern and dissatisfaction among business owners.
Abdul Jalil, General Secretary of BAPEX, Rajshahi Division, alleged that during the eviction, fuel meters were removed from pumps, and in some cases, drainage systems were opened to prevent vehicle access. He also claimed that some petrol pumps were vandalized during the operation.
While acknowledging that some petrol pumps were established on disputed land, Jalil insisted that no prior notice or documentation had been provided to justify the eviction.
When contacted, Asaduzzaman, Executive Engineer of the Bogura Roads and Highways Department, told The Daily Sun that several petrol pumps in the region were built on government land. He stated that his office had issued public notices in newspapers and put up official notifications before the eviction drive.
He also mentioned that illegally evicted petrol pumps had been re-established in 2016. However, he assured that discussions remain open, and a meeting scheduled for today will determine the next course of action.
Source: The Daily Sun
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
