Bus services between Barishal and other parts of the country, including Dhaka, have been halted since yesterday evening due to a violent confrontation between transport workers and students at Nathullabad Bus Terminal over a disagreement concerning discounted fares. This unexpected suspension has led to significant hardships for passengers, with many arriving at the terminal this morning only to be turned away.
Hira Paik, a transport worker, mentioned that no buses have departed from the terminal to any destination since the morning, except for a few BRTC buses operating on select routes. The clash originated yesterday evening during a dispute between students and bus personnel regarding discounted fares. The altercation resulted in injuries to around 50 individuals on both sides, with over 50 buses being damaged and several ticket counters being vandalized.
Following the incident, traffic flow on the Dhaka–Barishal–Kuakata highway was disrupted for nearly two hours. Although normal traffic resumed after the arrival of army personnel at the scene, bus services from the terminal on all routes remained suspended as of noon.
Mir Mosharraf Hossain, the Bus Owners Group president, reported that close to 100 buses were damaged during the unrest, resulting in losses estimated at Tk 3–4 crore. He further stated that approximately 50 ticket counters were destroyed, with electronic equipment and furniture being damaged. Hossain added that around 50 workers, including a bus owner, sustained injuries during the clashes.
Students involved in the incident claimed that the clash occurred after a disagreement with a bus supervisor over discounted fares. They denied any involvement in vandalizing buses and stated that several students also suffered injuries during the altercation.