Rajshahi agents won't distribute papers from today
The four newspaper distributing agents of Rajshahi declared to stop distributing newspapers from Dhaka for an indefinite period beginning today protesting attacks on their employees by hawkers.
Minhaj Uddin Moon, an employee of Shanchita Newspaper Agency, was attacked yesterday and admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital with critical wounds.
The agents told The Daily Star that on May 15, an agent's son, Uttam Kishor, and two newspaper transport employees, Arman Ali and Mrinal, were beaten. On March 12, the hawkers burned copies of Kaler Kantho and looted copies of Ittefaq.
The hawkers have been demanding 50 to 100 specimen newspapers per person and an increase in commission. After being denied, the hawkers were delaying distribution and carrying out the attacks, they said, adding that police suggested resolving the issue.
Rajshahi Hawkers and Labourers Union President Dulal Hossain said yesterday's attack was over a misunderstanding but asked the agents to cooperate as the demands are “logical”.
Newspaper agents buy the newspaper from the companies and distribute it by appointing hawkers on commission basis.
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