Direct bus communication between Dhaka and Pabna via Shahzadpur, Ullapara and Sirajganj has remained suspended over transport workers’ unrest.
Sources said a hitch has developed between drivers and helpers of Sabbir Paribahon of Shahzadpur and Razdut Paribahan of Pabna over plying their buses on the Pabna-Shahzadpur route.
As a sequel to the dispute, the workers of Razdut Paribahan beat up Sumon, a worker of Sabbir Paribahan in Shahzadpur on January 11. Angered by the incident the transport workers of Shahzadpur assaulted  the drivers of two Dhaka-bound buses coming from Pabna and vandalised the vehicles the same day.  Then, the buses were prevented from going to Dhaka, and instead forced to go back to Pabna from Shahzadpur bus stand area. The direct bus services between Dhaka and Pabna via Shahzadpur-Ullapara-Sirajganj route has since remained suspended.
While contacted, Firoz Khan, President of Pabna Transport Workers Association, accused Abdul Zalil, owner of Sabbir Paribahan in Shahzadpur and his associates of beating drivers and helpers of some buses of Pabna.
He, however, said leaders of transport workers in Pabna tried to settle the issue, but their counterparts of Shahzadpur and Sirajganj did not respond to their call.
Nazrul Islam, General Secretary of Sirajganj Transport Workers Association, said the leaders and workers of Pabna Transport Workers Association did not come to Shahzadpur for arbitration.  
However, Sazidul Haque, a member of Shahzadpur Bus Owner Association, said there has taken a decision to arrange arbitration at the regional office of Bus Owners and Workers Association in Bogra on January 23 for settlement of the dispute.