S1RAJGANJ, Feb 1: The Baghabari oil depot in the northern part of the country has become almost dry for the last three days following the

strike called by the water transport workers, reports APB.

The striking workers are reported to have been holding 14/15 vessels laden with oil in the river Jamuna for the last three days, which resulted in depletion of stock at the depot.

Consequently the northern districts, including Sirajganj. are facing severe oil crisis The current stock in these districts is likely to pull on for another one or two days at the most, informed sources said. '

Spokesmen of the Baghabari River Port Workers' Union told APB that they had repeatedly urged the concerned authorities to take effective steps for curbing incidences of piracy along the river routes. But nd action followed.

The inaction of the authorities led the workers to resort to strike since Saturday last.

Sources said if the strike continues, irrigation to the IRRI-Boro fields will suffer badly.

Meanwhile, the news of the workers' strike prompted the customers to go on a buying spree.

This caused a sudden price hike of oil. At some places the price of oil rose by Tk 3 per litre.

The managers of the oil depots told APB that the higher authorities in Dhaka had been informed of the situation.