Battery-run rickshaw pullers dispersed from Mirpur 10 intersection
The protestors were dispersed around 3:15 pm and vehicular movement in the area resumed about five hours after the blockade
Hundreds of battery-run rickshaw pullers, who blocked the Mirpur-10 intersection in protest of police seizing their vehicles, were dispersed this afternoon (19 May).
The protestors were dispersed around 3:15 pm and vehicular movement in the area resumed about five hours after the blockade, Deputy Commissioner of the Mipur Division Jashim Uddin Molla said.
"They blocked the road since morning. We requested them several times. At one point, when a local member of parliament spoke to them and asked them to leave, most of them started leaving. Some of the rickshaw pullers, however, vandalised some vehicles and threw stones at the policemen. Later, the police removed them from the road using force."
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Member of Parliament Elias Mollah said, "There is no scope to go against the High Court verdict. But we also have to consider the fact that the rickshaw pullers are not harmed. I will talk to the prime minister about this.
"The rickshaw pullers left the road after being reassured by our statement," he said.
This morning, rickshaw pullers were gathering at Mirpur 10 from other areas of Dhaka, including Shewrapara and Agargaon.
The protesting rickshaw pullers vandalised two buses during the protest.
"Members of police were deployed in the area to avoid any untoward situation," said Hasan Muhammad Mohtarim, assistant commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP-Mirpur zone).
The vehicular movement through Mirpur 10 was halted at 10:15 am, causing immense suffering to the commuters on this route.
Kawsar Miah and two of his assistants were on their way to Mirpur DOHS from Kallyanpur to repair an air conditioner (AC), but experienced a road block on Mirpur 10.
"I was supposed to be there by 11am, but couldn't get a transport due to the protest," he said.
On 15 May, the Advisory Council of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) decided to ban battery-run rickshaws in Dhaka city roads.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, who chaired the meeting, briefed journalists about the decisions.
He said accidents are increasing nationwide due to motorcycles and battery-operated easy-bikes, with a higher casualty rate associated with these vehicles.
