Half-day hartal observed in Gaibandha

A human chain was formed at the rail crossing point at Gaibandha on Saturday protesting lay-off of Rangpur Sugar Mills. Workers union of the mill, Gaibandha Workers and Employees Federation and different political parties jointly organised the programme. PHOTO: STAR

All political parties in the district gave support to the hartal, called jointly by the district Workers and Employees Federation and Rangpur Sugar Mills Workers Union.

All shops, business centres and educational institutions remained closed till 2 pm.

Vehicular traffic including long-rout buses did not ply. Train communication was however normal.

A procession was brought out in the town and a rally held at the rail crossing point during the hartal demanding withdrawal of the lay-off.

The rally was addressed by, among others, Gaibandha Workers Party Secretary Aminul Islam Golap, 11-Party Alliance Convenor Mihir Ghosh and Workers and Employees Federation President Rabil Hossain.

The speakers reiterated the demand for withdrawal of the lay-off and threatened of tougher action programme for non-compliance.

As per an earlier announced programme, a 'mass hunger strike' will be observed at the Shaheed Minar on April 13, to be followed by a day-long hartal in the district on April 20 to press the demand.

On Saturday, members of the Federation jobless employees of the mill formed a huge human chain in the town to press the demand.

The government laid-off the sugar mill since March 31, throwing over 1200 employees out of jobs and affecting hundreds of sugarcane growers in the district.