Tourist boat strike ends at Mongla Sundarban trips resume 

 
BAGERHAT, Jan 7: The strike by tourist-carrying jali boats from the Mongla Port to the Sundarban has been withdrawn, allowing trips to nearby spots, including Karamjal, to resume Wednesday morning. 

The strike followed an operation by DG Shipping and Bagerhat District administration on January 4, which found several jali boats lacking required documents and equipment. Unauthorised upper structures on the boats were dismantled, and owners were instructed to secure proper approvals promptly.

In protest, boat owners and operators suspended all services on January 5, halting tourist transport to nearby Sundarban areas.

On Tuesday night, Mongla Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sharmin Akter Sumi, Additional Superintendent of Police Rifatul Islam, and Mongla Police Station OC Shahinur Rahman met with the boat owners. Following their assurances, the strike was withdrawn.
Delwar Hossain, President of the Mongla Port Mechanised Boat Owners Association, said DG Shipping officials had destroyed upper structures of at least 30 boats at the Mongla ferry ghat last Sunday without prior notice, taking furniture and imposing fines. In response, boat owners called the strike on Monday and submitted memorandums to local administration offices seeking redress.