The battery-run rickshaw pullers protested by blocking the road in Dayaganj of Jatrabari following the High Court order to stop the movement of battery-operated rickshaws in the Dhaka metropolitan area. At one point, the rickshaw pullers clashed with the police. Two policemen were injured.
Battery-powered rickshaw drivers started protesting at Dayaganj intersection around 12pm on Wednesday.
Jatrabari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Faruk Ahmed said that rickshaw drivers blocked the road at Dayaganj intersection, demanding the right to drive battery-run rickshaws on main roads. Severe traffic congestion ensued, and police requested them to vacate the road. However, they ignored the request and attacked the police instead. Two police members were injured and are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
The OC added that as of 1:00 pm, the rickshaw drivers had lifted the blockade. Additional police forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.
On Tuesday, the High Court bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Mahmudur Raji ordered the cessation of battery-powered rickshaws within Dhaka city within three days.
The court instructed the Home Secretary, Local Government Secretary, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, and authorities of the two city corporations to enforce the order.
The petition was filed by Dhaka Metropolitan Rickshaw Owners’ Unity Council’s President Jahurul Islam Masum and General Secretary Md. Momin Ali, representing the pedal-rickshaw sector. Barristers HM Sanjid Siddiqui and Tahsina Tasnim Mridu represented the petitioners in court.
Approximately 1.3 million rickshaws operate in the capital, with a significant portion being battery-powered. Many traditional pedal rickshaws have been retrofitted with batteries.
Battery-powered rickshaws are more prevalent in alleys but often venture onto major roads when opportunities arise. High concentrations of these rickshaws are found in areas such as Khilgaon, Manda, Basabo, Maniknagar, Rampura, Badda, Sayedabad, Jatrabari, Kadamtali, Sabujbagh, Shyampur, Demra, Mohammadpur, Bosila, Uttara, Vatara, Dakshinkhan, Uttar Khan, Moynartek, Mirpur, and Pallabi.
These rickshaws operate across the city, causing frequent accidents. Many people have been injured, and fatalities have occurred. Despite repeated drives by the two Dhaka city corporations, the illegal operation of these vehicles remains widespread.
In addition to these areas, battery-run rickshaws can be seen throughout the city, contributing to frequent accidents. Many people have been injured, and fatalities have also occurred. Despite repeated drives by the two Dhaka city corporations, the illegal operation of these vehicles continues unabated.
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