The strike triggered untold sufferings of the commuters of 13 southwestern districts including Khulna, Barisal, Pirojpur, Patuakhali, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi and Barguna.

Our Barisal correspondent reported that bus strike was partially observed in the district yesterday. Dhaka-bound passenger buses left the city's Nathullad Bus Terminal in the morning without any obstructions.

However, bus and minibus services on Barisal-Khulna andBarisal-Jessore routes remained suspended.

The transport workers cordoned off the Rupatali Bus Terminal in the morning and stopped 11 BRTC buses plying different south-western, and inter-district routes.

They also blocked Barisal-Khulna-Jessore highway near Bagerhut bus terminal at 12:30pm.

As the law enforcers tried to bring the situation under control, the agitating transport workers confined them inside the terminal.

On information, police superintendent of Bagerhat and other district officials rushed to the spot and released the law enforcers after negotiation with the transports workers at about 2:00pm.

Road Transport Owners Association Leader Ziauddin Sikder, also a word commissioner of Barisal City Corporation, said they will continue the strike until their demand is met.

Barisal divisional commissioner said the law enforcers and local administration have been asked to ensure smooth service of the state-owned BRTC bus on all routes of the division.

In Barguna, the agitated bus workers ransacked and damaged 13 three-wheeler tempos plying different local and short distance routes at about 10:00am.

Our Patuakhali correspondent adds: Transport strike was observed in the district yesterday. No untoward incident was occurred during the strike.

Our Staff Correspondent from Khulna said the bus service on the inter-district routes remained suspended yesterday.

He striking transport workers did not allow BRTC buses to ply any of the routes in the district on the first day of the strike. No untoward incident was reported from any place of the district.