Commuters suffer as battery-run rickshaw drivers block roads in Mirpur
Drivers of battery-run rickshaws and easy bikes have been protesting the ongoing crackdown against their vehicles by blocking various roads at Mirpur in Dhaka since this morning, disrupting traffic movement in the area.
Witnesses said commuters suffered, with many forced to walk kilometres to reach their destinations as the drivers diverted buses in different directions.
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At some points, they attacked buses, private cars, and pedal rickshaws, witnesses and police said.
Many took to social media to warn city dwellers to avoid different roads in the Mirpur area.
A protester, Abdul Hamid, told The Daily Star that he had undergone stent placement for his heart problems and could not pedal, forcing him to drive a battery-run rickshaw.
"Three months ago, I bought a rickshaw for Tk 80,000 that I borrowed. Last night, police seized my rickshaw from a garage in Kazipara," he said.
"I cannot do anything else. How do I repay my loan and manage my livelihood?" he asked.
Wishing anonymity, a 25-year-old driver, said a section of battery-run rickshaw pullers were once involved in stealing, mugging, and other criminal activities in the city.
"The government carried out raids against us without offering any alternative jobs. This will force them back to criminal activities once again," he said.
Several hundred drivers first gathered in Mirpur-11, Mirpur-1 and Kalshi areas around 9:30 am, protesting the drive against the battery-run vehicles as per the government decision, Jasim Uddin, deputy commissioner of Mirpur Traffic Division, told The Daily Star.
The battery-run rickshaw and easy bike drivers beat up several paddle rickshaw pullers in Kalshi area, he said, adding that the protestors also vandalised the windows of several buses in Mirpur-11.
The protestors later gathered at Mirpur-10 intersection, disrupting traffic movement, he said.
The DC said they are trying to handle the situation with patience. "We are trying to convince them to leave the road," Jasim Uddin said.
Apart from traffic police, additional police members from Mirpur Division are on the streets to avoid any untoward situation.
Similar protests were also reported from different other roads of the capital.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Sramik Adhikar Parishad organised a human chain protesting the move in front of Jatiya Press Club.
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