Autorickshaw Drivers Block Roads In Mirpur Protesting Ban

Battery-run autorickshaw drivers have blocked several roads in Dhaka’s Mirpur-1, Mirpur-10 and Agargaon areas, protesting the announcement of the ban on these vehicles. They started the demonstration since Sunday morning. This time traffic movement is being disrupted in these areas due to the blockade resulting in massive gridlocks. 

Mirpur Model police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Munshi Sabbir Ahmed confirmed the matter.

He said that additional police have been deployed on the roads to bring the situation under control. 

Witnesses said commuters suffered, with many forced to walk kilometers to reach their destinations as the drivers diverted buses in different directions.

At some points, they attacked buses, private car and paddle rickshaws, witnesses and police said.

Many took to the social media to warn city dwellers to avoid different roads in Mirpur area.

Earlier several hundred drivers first gathered in Mirpur-11, Mirpur-1 and Kalshi areas around 9:30 am, protesting the drive against the batter-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.

Earlier on Wednesday, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader ordered the authorities to take steps so that the battery-run autorickshaws cannot ply roads in Dhaka city.

"No battery-run three-wheeler should operate in Dhaka city. We have already banned these vehicles on 22 highways. Measures must be implemented to ensure compliance with this directive."

Previously, the mayors of both Dhaka city corporations had agreed to prohibit the movement of battery-run rickshaws within the city.