Dhaka: The indefinite strike, enforced by goods transport owners and workers in 21 southwestern districts to press home their 12-point demand, was called off on Tuesday.

Goods Transport Owners and Workers’ Oikya Parishad convener Abdul Gaffar Biswas came up with the announcement after a meeting between transport owners and workers, and the government at the Secretariat.

Gaffar said they withdrew the strike following a fruitful discussion with the government over their demands.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Moshiur Rahman Ranga were present at the meeting.

After the meeting, the shipping minister told reporters that the transport owners and workers agreed to accept the government’s decisions on different issues, including the removal of additional bumpers from truck’s front side and stopping overloading.

He said owners will change the truck structures as per the instructions issued by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority.

Shajahan said a committee, headed by representatives of the government and transport vehicles, was formed to curb alleged irregularities while measuring weight of a vehicle in overload control centres.

Oikya Parishad enforced the indefinite strike in the 21 southwestern districts on Monday to press home its 12-point demand, including an end to harassment by law enforcers and withdrawal of excel load of vehicles issued by the government.

Due to the strike, trucks, lorries, tank-lorries, covered-vans and pickups remained off the roads in the 21 districts for the last two days, affecting activities at different land ports, including Benapole and Bhomra ones.