Fuel distribution across eight northern districts in Bangladesh was disrupted on Sunday after tanker workers began an indefinite strike, protesting the arrest and punishment of three colleagues in Nilphamari.
As a result of the strike, the lifting of diesel, petrol, and octane from the Railway Head Oil Depot in Parbatipur has completely stopped, raising concerns over potential transport disruptions in the region.
The strike was called by leaders of the Rangpur Divisional Tanker Workers Union, who demanded the immediate release of the detained workers within 24 hours and the withdrawal of Nilphamari Nezarat Deputy Collector (NDC) Niaz Bhuiyan.
The unrest stems from an incident on Saturday when a fuel-laden tanker developed a mechanical fault near the Nilphamari Jail Gate while en route to a filling station. A mobile court later arrested the filling station manager Ekramul Haque, tanker driver Sri Krishna, and his assistant Rifat, accusing them of siphoning off 13 litres of fuel. They were sentenced to six months in prison and fined Tk1 lakh.
Following the arrests, tanker workers suspended fuel transport, affecting districts including Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Kurigram and Lalmonirhat.
The Petrol Pump Owners Association has backed the workers’ demands, while union leaders said no formal talks with the administration had taken place so far.
Although workers stated they would not obstruct others from collecting fuel, they warned the strike would continue until their demands are met.
If the situation remains unresolved, the shortage of fuel could lead to major disruptions in passenger transport and the supply of essential goods across the northern region.
