PM allows battery-run auto rickshaws on Dhaka city roads
Sheikh Hasina orders canceling earlier BRTA decision; the highways still remain off limits to the vehicles
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed scrapping the decision to ban battery-run auto rickshaws on the streets in the capital.
Speaking at an event today, Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the PM had made the decision keeping in mind the livelihoods of the people involved.
"In view of the current global situation, Sheikh Hasina has taken this decision thinking about the livelihood of low-income earners," he said.
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"But the movement of battery-run auto-rickshaws will remain suspended on 22 highways of the country as per earlier decision," he said while addressing a discussion at the Awami League's Bangabandhu Avenue central office in the capital, reports BSS.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has yet to receive any latest directives from the ministry.
Contacted, DMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Khandker Mohid Uddin said, "We will comply with whatever the government decides. We haven't received any further details on lifting the ban."
He added, "We will take necessary actions once we get instructions from the ministry concerned. However, I can say that operating on the main roads across the city will not be allowed as before."
The Advisory Council of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) decided to ban battery-run rickshaws on Dhaka city roads at a meeting on 15 May.
After the ban came into effect, the auto-rickshaw drivers on Sunday took to the streets. They demonstrated in the Mirpur-10, Pallabi and Agargaon areas, creating gridlocks, and also engaging in clashes with police. At least 20 people were reportedly injured.
The auto-rickshaw drivers also held demonstrations todayin the capital's Rampura-Badda, Kuril, and Khilkhet areas.
"Protesters blocked Rampura-Badda road at 10 am, but police dispersed them by 10:45am, and traffic resumed within 45 minutes," said Md Ariful Islam, assistant commissioner of Rampura traffic zone.
So far, 42 people have been arrested with most being sent to jail in connection with the agitations.
Accusing 2,400 named and unnamed persons, four separate cases have been filed with three police stations - including two with Pallabi, one with Kafrul, and one with Mirpur Model police station.
The cases were lodged in connection with the incidents of obstruction of police duties, vandalism, arson, sabotage, and attacks on law enforcement officials during the day-long protests on Sunday, said police sources.
DMP Mirpur Division Deputy Commissioner Jasim Uddin Mollah said there will be a manhunt for those who vandalised police and public property and clashed with the police.
