Biman's flight suspension sparks protest in Barisal

A procession in Barisal city yesterday protesting suspension of Biman flights (left) and police guarding the airlines' office.. PHOTO: STAR

A large number of people held a rally and laid a siege to the local Biman office yesterday, demanding resignation of Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Mir Mohammed Nasiruddin.

The rally also declared him unwanted in Barisal and announced tougher agitation programmes including hartal if the suspension is not withdrawn immediately.

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The agitation programmes were called by the Committee for Development and Protection of Barisal's Interest (Barisal Unnayon O Swartha Sangrakkhon Committee).

National flag carrier Biman excluded Barisal from its winter schedules, effective from November 8.

The rally preceded a procession in the town, joined by all classes of people. The processionists after parading city streets gathered in front of the Biman where the rally was held. They laid a siege to the Biman office from 11-30 am to 12-30 pm.

The rally was presided over by Golam Mawla, convener of the Committee and addressed by, among others, district BNP Secretary Nazrul Islam Rajon, Barisal Reporters Unity President Mir Maruzzaman, journalist Akter Faruk Shahin, Nagorik Samaj Secretary Dr. Mizanur Rahman, cultural activist Saifur Rahman Miron, Barisal City Corporation ward commissioners Atikur Rahman and Habibur Rahman Tipu, Aminur Rahman Khokan, Mohsinul Islam Habul, Maksudur Rahman, Manirul Hassan Manir, Mainul Islam Manik and Fayez Ahmed Khan.

The speakers demanded daily flight on the Dhaka-Barisal-Dhaka route.

The agitation programme includes formation of a human chain in the city on November 20, hartal on November 27 and public awareness campaign from November 10 to 26 in district headquarters in Barisal division.

They demanded resignation of minister Mir Nasiruddin and declared him unwanted in Barisal for what they called Biman's discriminatory treatment towards the division.

The speakers said Biman stopped its flights to the divisional headquarters on the plea of loss. This is not a valid reason because a private airlines is running its services well even after charging more fare than that of Biman.

They alleged that Biman flights have been stopped at the behest of a vested quarter. Private airline GMG charges Tk 2400 for a Barisal-Dhaka ticket against Tk 1600 of Biman.

Biman had started Barisal-Dhaka flights on December 3, 1995 but soon stopped it.

It resumed flights in April 2003 and also started selling tickets for international routes from its local office from June this year. This had increased sale of Biman tickets.