Barisal: After observing bus strike for 16 hours on 38 routes of the six districts under Barisal division, the Barisal-Patuakhali Minibus Owners’ Association postponed the strike as authorities assured to fulfil their demands.

The association decided to suspend the strike after holding a meeting with divisional authority at Barisal Circuit House auditorium from 8:00pm to 10:30pm on Thursday.

Later, Barisal Divisional Commissioner Mohammad Shahiduzzaman confirmed the suspension to journalist on Thursday night.

Barisal-Patuakhali bus/minibus owners’ association general secretary Kawsar Hossain Shipon told NTV Online the strike has been withdrawn as authorities assured to banned movement of three-wheeler vehicles on the highway by 10 September and give punishment to the attackers who attack on the association’s president Nazrul Islam Khan.

Earlier, the association called for an indefinite strike after Nazrul Islam Khan was assaulted by some utility vehicle workers on Barisal-Patuakhali Road at Dapdapia on 7 August, said its general secretary Kawsar Hossain Shipon.

As the news spread, the association enforced the strike for an indefinite period from Thursday in protest of the attack incident.

They also threatened to continue their strike until the local administration would take any effective measures to stop plying of three-wheeler vehicles on the highway and steps for filing a case.

Commuters are suffering much following the bus strike and some people were seen to reach their destinations by hiring rickshaw vans.