Bus operations between Barishal and other parts of the country have been halted since Sunday morning following a violent confrontation between transport workers and students over bus fares at Nathullabad Central Bus Terminal on Saturday.

According to reports, students allegedly vandalised more than 100 buses, damaged the terminal building, and looted ticket counters. One bus was set on fire but was quickly extinguished by the Fire Service. Transport workers said 20–25 of their colleagues were injured during the incident. Students, however, denied responsibility, accusing transport workers of causing the damage, UNB reports.

The clash reportedly began when a BM College student argued with transport workers over paying half fare on a bus from Muladi to Barishal. Several hundred students then rushed to the terminal, escalating the situation.

A visit to the terminal on Sunday revealed rows of shattered buses, none of which are operational. Mosharraf Hossain, president of the Barishal District Bus Owners’ Group, said of the 190 buses the association operates, about 150 were vandalised. “Not a single piece of glass is untouched. None of the damaged buses can return to service without major repairs,” he said.

Although no formal strike has been called, operators in Dhaka and other districts have suspended Barishal-bound routes, effectively cutting off bus connections in the region.

The suspension has left passengers stranded. Ahsan Mohammad, a government employee trying to reach Kushtia after learning of his mother’s illness, said there was no viable alternative for such a long journey. Hossain added that losses from the incident are estimated at several crore taka.