Chattogram: Commuters faced immense suffering on Tuesday as workers of state-owned jute mills started enforcing a 72-strike to realise their demands.

Thousands of workers of Hafiz Jute Mills, Gul Ahmmed Jute Mills, RR Jute Mill Gulfra Habib and MM Jute Mills blocked the roads and rail routes in industrial areas of Sitakundu and Fouzdarhat, reports the UNB.

Vehicular movement came to a screeching half and the port city’s rail communications with rest of Bangladesh were suspended.

A large number of vehicles were stuck on the highway and two trains ‘Meghna Express’ and ‘Paharika Express’ were stranded.

Higher Secondary Certificates (HSC) examinees had a tough time going to exam centres.

Police and local administration officials rushed to the spot to cajole the workers into ending their strike. The workers withdrew their one-hour blockade after getting assurance from the administration.

Fresh workers agitation started on Monday after the Bangladesh Jute Mill Corporation (BJMC) failed to implement the wage commission within March 28.

Amena Begum, additional commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (crime and drive) said that additional police have been deployed to keep the road situation under control.