Dhaka: Courts Monday granted bail to 22 workers, including nine arrested during the river-transport strike, as fruitful negotiations between the government and their trade union broke a debilitating deadlock in countrywide waterway communications.

Dhaka’s Metropolitan Magistrate Court granted bail to 13 workers as their lawyers prayed for on their behalf. Moreover, the High Court granted bail to the rest nine.

Sajib Ahmed Jakir filed a case with Kotwali Thana against around 125, including 22 identified workers, during the vessel workers’ movement on May 7.

Later, police arrested Shah Alam, Vice-President of the River Vessel Workers Federation, Abul Hossain Master, Din Mohammad, Mofazzal Hossain, Babul Shikder, Abdul Awal Shikder, Md. Akkas, SM Shajahan and Mamun Bepari in that case.

The FIR-named accused were Ashiqur Rahman Patol, Md. Manik master, Driver Md. Sayed, Master Asgar, Harun Master, Jahangir Master, Rahman Master, Khokn, Abdul Haque, Shiddik, Jakir, Osman, Motaleb.
 
Among them, Shah Alam, Abul Hossain Master, Din Mohammad, Mofazzal Hossain, Babul Shikder, Abdul Awal Shikder, Md. Akkas, SM Shajahan, Mamun Bepari, Abu Taher,Monir, Khokn, and Md. Manik were granted bail from the lower court.

The High Court granted bail to Ashiqur Rahman Patol, Md. Sayed driver, Asgar master, Harun master, Jahangir master, Rahman master, Abdul Haque, Jakir and Osman.

Ashiqul Alam Chowdhury, General Secretary of the River Vessel Workers Federation, said, “The case filed against us would be withdrawn within a couple of days.”

BDST 0401 hrs May 17, 2010
SF/RS/MMA/MUA