Play store
Autorickshaw drivers blocked the road in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Monday, pressing for a 12-point set of demands, disrupting traffic in the area.
The blockade began around noon after drivers from different parts of the capital brought out processions and gathered in front of the Press Club. They also suspended autorickshaw operations across the city as part of their protest.
“We are holding this programme to press home our 12-point demands,” said autorickshaw driver Mahbub.
The demands include modernising battery-powered autorickshaws in line with road standards, issuing licences through the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), ensuring reasonable route permits and providing formal driving licences to drivers after adequate training.
The protesters also called for an end to the disconnection of legal electricity connections used for charging their vehicles, arbitrary vehicle seizures, impounding, fines and police harassment. They demanded unrestricted movement on eligible city roads and an end to harassment through legal cases, including the unconditional release of detained workers.
Other demands include minimum wages, fixed working hours and social security for workers, clear guidelines for garages and charging stations, and easier access to electricity connections.
They also called for a separate welfare trust to provide medical and financial assistance to workers and urged the authorities to revise restrictions that threaten their livelihoods.
Law enforcement agencies remained on alert around the protest site, with additional police personnel deployed to prevent any untoward incident.
Sheikh Zahidul Islam, deputy commissioner of police for the Ramna Division, said additional forces had been deployed and the situation was being closely monitored.
