Drivers of battery-powered rickshaws blocked roads in the Agargaon and Jatrabari area of Dhaka for hours on Wednesday, demanding government intervention in rehabilitating them before banning their vehicles in the capital.
In Jatrabari, rickshaw drivers clashed with law enforcers. At least two policemen were injured while three rickshaw drivers were detained.
Protesters in Agargaon also announced a gathering in front of the Election Commission Office Building tomorrow at 9:00am, followed by a blockade of the Mirpur-10 intersection.
They took to the streets a day after the High Court directed government authorities to take necessary steps to stop the plying of battery-run rickshaws and auto-rickshaws on the capital's streets within three days.
With over two lakh battery-powered rickshaws operating on the city streets, drivers claim that banning these vehicles without proper rehabilitation will leave many families destitute.
Around 8:00am, rickshaw drivers gathered in front of the Agargaon Election Commission office and blocked several major roads in the area, disrupting traffic and causing significant inconvenience to commuters.
They blocked the road from 10:00am to 2:30pm, disrupting traffic movement.
Across town, drivers also blocked the road at the Dayaganj intersection in the city's Jatrabari area.
The protests began at 11:00am and escalated into a clash with the police around 1:00pm. Two police officers were injured during the incident, and three rickshaw drivers were detained.
Md Saleh Uddin, Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Wari Division), said that the protest disrupted traffic flow. The police requested the protesters to clear the road to restore normalcy. However, the drivers ignored the request and engaged in a clash with the police. Three drivers have been taken into custody from the site of the incident.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Jatrabari Police Station, Md Faruk Ahmed, said, "When severe traffic congestion developed, we urged the drivers to withdraw the blockade. Instead, they attacked the police."
''The injured officers have been hospitalised and given primary treatment,'' he added.
Battery-run rickshaw drivers fear loss of livelihood
The protesters said their livelihoods completely depends on their vehicles. They and their families will be in great trouble if the vehicles are restricted without a proper transition plan.
During the protest, Shafiqul Islam, a rickshaw driver from the Taltola Janata Housing area, shared his story.
"I have been driving a battery-powered rickshaw in Dhaka for the past two years to support my family of five. I earn between Tk 800 to 1200 daily, which goes towards paying rent and buying essentials. If these rickshaws are banned without any rehabilitation or alternative, I will be left with no way to support my family," he said.
He also highlighted that many individuals driving these rickshaws had previously been involved in criminal activities. However, by earning an honest living, many of them have turned their lives around.
"If these rickshaws are taken off the roads, many of us will be forced to return to our old lives," he warned.
Md Hashem, a battery-powered rickshaw driver from Gandaria who participated in the protest in Jatrabari, said, "The sudden ban on auto-rickshaws has left us in a dire situation. It is inhumane to impose such restrictions without providing any alternative solutions."
Another rickshaw puller, Faruk Hossain, from the Agargaon BNP Bazar area, echoed similar concerns. He explained that he drives a rickshaw to support his seven-member family, including his elderly mother, who has heart disease, and his two sons, who suffer from thalassemia.
Impact of illegal rickshaws on Dhaka's traffic
"I earn Tk 1200 daily, which helps cover medical expenses for my family members. I also took a loan of Tk 70,000 to buy the rickshaw, and I need to repay Tk 2,500 taka weekly. If my rickshaw is stopped, I won't be able to pay back the loan or support my family," Faruk said.
The protesters have vowed to continue their programme if their demands are not addressed.
