Staff Reporter :
City dwellers have been facing major disruptions on Friday as nearly a thousand battery-run rickshaw drivers blocked both roads and railway tracks, protesting the recent High Court order banning their vehicles on Dhaka city streets.
The protest, which had been ongoing since Wednesday, turned violent when demonstrators clashed with police, leading to injuries and arrests.
The confrontation began around 10:00 a.m. when the rickshaw drivers, who have been protesting the ban, obstructed key roadways and rail lines, causing significant traffic and rail delays. Police were deployed to disperse the protesters, using tear gas and truncheons. The situation escalated into a standoff that lasted for several hours, only being cleared by 1:00 p.m.
Witnesses reported that over a dozen individuals were injured during the clashes, with at least five arrested. Dhaka Metropolitan Police confirmed the use of force, with Wari Division Deputy Commissioner Saleh Uddin stating that the protesters had attacked law enforcement officers, prompting a response.
Railway authorities also reported significant disruptions, with rail services on the route halted for about four hours. Mohammad Anwar Hossain, station master at Dhaka Railway Station, confirmed that four trains-two Narayanganj-bound commuter trains-were delayed. He added, however, that no damage had been done to railway property during the protest.
The protests were sparked by a High Court ruling earlier in the week that banned the operation of battery-run rickshaws within the city, citing safety concerns and the growing number of these vehicles on urban roads. The drivers, many of whom rely on these rickshaws for their livelihood, have expressed strong opposition to the ban.
Khalekuzzaman Lipon, convener of the Rickshaw, Battery Rickshaw-Van, and Easybike Sangram Parishad, stated that he was not aware of the Jurain protests but confirmed that local drivers might have taken the initiative to stage the demonstration. He also announced plans for a rally in front of the National Press Club on Saturday to voice their grievances.
Police officials, including Shyampur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiqul Islam, mentioned that the authorities are investigating the involvement of any third parties in the unrest. The situation remains tense, as protests are expected to continue in the coming days as drivers demand a reversal of the High Court’s decision.
This ongoing unrest highlights the deepening tensions over the government’s decision to curb the use of battery-run rickshaws in Dhaka, a move that has significant implications for both commuters and drivers in the city.
