Syed Shemul Parvez :
Apparently thousands of battery-run rickshaw drivers have been blocking various streets in the capital protesting against the High Court’s ban on hybrid rickshaws in the Dhaka metropolitan area since Tuesday (November 19).
But everyday scenarios on the spot reveal a different picture that a huge number of youths, who are taking part in the protests as the drivers of battery-run rickshaws, come from other occupations.
Particularly many unemployed youths are joining the protests in guise of battery-run auto-rickshaw drivers.
Questions have been arisen among the people that are they really drivers?
Or who are exactly behind the battery-run rickshaw driver’s movements in the capital?
In this regards, an eyewitness told The New Nation that some leaders and activities of Jubo League and Srarmik league joined the protests in the guise of auto rickshaw drivers. Some youths also joined the protests along with the battery-run rickshaw drivers.
“We think they are not original drivers. Rather they are working to implement the command of a particular party,” he added.
It is learnt that battery-run rickshaw pullers took to the streets in Agargaon, Mohammadpur, Jatrabari, Jatiya Press Club and others important areas of the city on Sunday, causing significant disruption to traffic.
According to eyewitnesses, rickshaw drivers began gathering in these areas since the morning.
Later, they blocked roads and started protesting, leading to heavy traffic congestion, particularly in National Press Club area, Mohammadpur’s Tin Rastar Mor area.
Commuters, including office-goers and school and college students, faced considerable difficulties. Police were seen trying to persuade the rickshaw drivers to clear the roads.
Although some vehicles were running on a limited scale at the Jatrabari intersection, a large number of rickshaw drivers remained present. Police have been on high alert in the area.
An agitated protester in Agargaon area, told the media that they gathered in front of the Election Commission office in Agargaon and planned to proceed to Mirpur 10 in a procession.
When asked about their demands, he said, “Our only demand is that the movement of battery-operated rickshaws cannot be stopped without the rehabilitation of the drivers. This is a matter of bread and butter for many people.”
On this issue, Muhammad Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media) of the DMP, told The New Nation that police have been on high vigilant in the area along with extra preparation.
“A large number of police have already been deployed in the area. Efforts are being made to persuade the rickshaw pullers to clear the roads. So far, no untoward incident has occurred anywhere,” he added.
Hafizur Rahman, inspector (Investigation) of Mohammadpur Police Station, told the media that battery-operated rickshaw pullers have been blocking roads at Mirpur Beribadh, Dhaka Udyan, and Tin Rastar Mor since 11:00am.
This has caused severe traffic congestion in Mohammadpur, Mirpur, and Gabtoli areas.
However, on Sunday evening, the battery-run Auto-rickshaw, Van and Easybike Sramik Union has called off their movement upon assurance from the police administration of addressing their demands.
About their movement Ariful Islam, joint secretary of the Sramik union, said that deputy commissioner of Ramna Zone under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has assured them of resolving their problems.
“A delegation from the union will meet DMP officials today to discuss the ongoing issue, and we hope a solution will come out from the meeting,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said, another delegation of the union met Attorney General Md Asaduzzman in this regard and a petition would be submitted against the High Court order. The union leader hoped that the issue will be resolved soon.
Earlier in the morning, drivers of auto-rickshaws took to several streets of Dhaka to press home their 11-point demand, including obtaining licenses from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to operate on city streets.
Commuters, particularly those travelling for emergencies, faced severe difficulties reaching their destinations as protesters blocked several roads, including those near the Jatiya Press Club (JPC), Jatrabari, Beribadh, and Tin Rastar Morr.
According to sources, hundreds of drivers gathered at Beribadh, one of Dhaka’s entry points, yesterday morning and marched towards the JPC in a procession.
Besides, drivers from other parts of Dhaka converged at the JPC and staged a sit-in programme to press their demands.
The blockade in front of the JPC caused numerous vehicles to remain stranded, leading to immense suffering for commuters.
Earlier, a High Court order banned auto-rickshaws from operating on city streets, citing public safety concerns.
