Rickshaw, van pullers block roads to protest against ban

A large number of rickshaw and van pullers blocked roads in Dhaka yesterday, a day after the city corporations banned rickshaws and vans at three major thoroughfares in the city. They demanded that the authorities allow plying of three-wheelers  on all the city streets. However, the protestors left the streets after local ward councillors and Awami League (AL) leaders assured them of taking positives steps regarding their demands. Thousands of rickshaw and van pullers took to the streets in Mugda, Maniknagar, Manda, Balurmath and Kamlapur TT Para areas from yesterday morning. They blocked the roads and began demonstrating against the recent decision of the city corporations.

The blockade triggered severe traffic jams in the neighborhoods, causing immense suffering to commuters. Proloy Kumar Saha, officer-in-charge (OC) of Mugda police station, said at least 3,000 had taken to the streets and participated in the protest programme.

The ban imposed by the two city corporations in Dhaka, following a meeting of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority, has come into effect from Sunday.

The streets that are within the purview of the ban are Progoti Sarani from Kuril to Sayedabad via Rampura and Khilgaon, Mirpur Road from Gabtoli to Azimpur, and Elephant Road from Science Laboratory to Shahbagh.

The protesters were chanting slogans as they demanded free movement of rickshaws on the city roads.

Abul Kalam, one of the protestors, said he maintained his family by pulling the rickshaw. “If the government don’t let us ply rickshaws on major roads, how am I supposed to run the family?” he added.

Another rickshaw puller, Ismail Hossain, said they were demonstrating against the government move as it rendered a big blow to their livelihoods.

“Police officials have already taken our rickshaws. Now, the government has imposed this ban. We work honestly. Why are we being deprived of our livelihood?” he added.

Alauddin Azad, a police inspector of Mugda, said the rickshaw and van pullers blocked the busy thoroughfare around 8:30am.

“Police are yet to take action as higher authorities have not given us any instruction. The law enforcers remained alert to avoid any untoward situation,” he said.

National Rickshaw-Van Sramik League general secretary Insur Ali  said the decision to ban rickshaws was suicidal. “We want a drive to detect illegal rickshaws and withdrawal of this ban. We will submit our demands to the Prime Minister on July 11,” he added.

Rickshaw, van pullers block roads to protest against ban

A large number of rickshaw and van pullers blocked roads in Dhaka yesterday, a day after the city corporations banned rickshaws and vans at three major thoroughfares in the city. They demanded that the authorities allow plying of three-wheelers on all the city streets. However, the protestors left the streets after local ward councillors and Awami League (AL) leaders assured them of taking positives steps regarding their demands. Thousands of rickshaw and van pullers took to the streets in Mugda, Maniknagar, Manda, Balurmath and Kamlapur TT Para areas from yesterday morning. They blocked the roads and began demonstrating against the recent decision of the city corporations. The blockade triggered severe traffic jams in the neighborhoods, causing immense suffering to commuters. Proloy Kumar Saha, officer-in-charge (OC) of Mugda police station, said at least 3,000 had taken to the streets and participated in the protest programme. The ban imposed by the two city corporations in Dhaka, following a meeting of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority, has come into effect from Sunday. The streets that are within the purview of the ban are Progoti Sarani from Kuril to Sayedabad via Rampura and Khilgaon, Mirpur Road from Gabtoli to Azimpur, and Elephant Road from Science Laboratory to Shahbagh. The protesters were chanting slogans as they demanded free movement of rickshaws on the city roads. Abul Kalam, one of the protestors, said he maintained his family by pulling the rickshaw. If the government dont let us ply rickshaws on major roads, how am I supposed to run the family? he added. Another rickshaw puller, Ismail Hossain, said they were demonstrating against the government move as it rendered a big blow to their livelihoods. Police officials have already taken our rickshaws. Now, the government has imposed this ban. We work honestly. Why are we being deprived of our livelihood? he added. Alauddin Azad, a police inspector of Mugda, said the rickshaw and van pullers blocked the busy thoroughfare around 8:30am. Police are yet to take action as higher authorities have not given us any instruction. The law enforcers remained alert to avoid any untoward situation, he said. National Rickshaw-Van Sramik League general secretary Insur Ali said the decision to ban rickshaws was suicidal. We want a drive to detect illegal rickshaws and withdrawal of this ban. We will submit our demands to the Prime Minister on July 11, he added.