Mongla, Jan 07 (V7N) — The strike called by owners of tourist boats operating in the Sundarbans was withdrawn on Tuesday night following assurances from the local administration.

The decision came after discussions with Mongla Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sharmin Akter Sumi, Superintendent of Police (Mongla–Rampal Circle) Rifat-ul-Islam, and Officer-in-Charge of Mongla Police Station Shahinur Rahman. Based on their assurances, the boat owners agreed to call off the ongoing strike.

Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, the boat owners submitted memorandums to various local administrative offices, demanding relief from what they described as harassment by officials of the Department of Shipping (DG Shipping). In response to the memorandums, the local administration conveyed assurances that DG Shipping officials would not conduct operations or take enforcement actions without prior notice and would refrain from any form of harassment. Following this assurance, the boat owners withdrew their strike.

Mohammad Delwar Hossain, president of the Mongla Port Mechanized Boatmen Association, said that on Sunday, DG Shipping officials carried out operations at the Mongla ferry terminal without any prior notice. During the operation, the upper structures, including roofs, of at least 30 mechanized boats were dismantled or cut, furniture was seized, and fines were imposed. Protesting the sudden action, boat owners began a strike from early Monday morning.

He added that seeking a remedy, the boat owners submitted memorandums to the local administration on Tuesday. After receiving assurances that no future operations would be conducted without prior notice and that no unnecessary harassment would take place, the strike was officially withdrawn at around 9:00 pm on Tuesday.

END/AHS/SMA/