Battery-run rickshaw drivers suspend protest, traffic resumes

The public sit-in organised by battery-run rickshaw drivers in front of the National Press Club, demanding a 12-point charter including the legalisation of battery-powered rickshaws, has been suspended. 

Traffic flow in the area has returned to normal.  

The organisers announced that the Rickshaw-Van-Easybike Workers Union is scheduled to meet with Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali on Monday at 11:00am to discuss their demands.  

Earlier, hundreds of rickshaw drivers staged protests in multiple areas, including Mohammadpur Beribandh Road, Three Roads Intersection, Jatrabari, and Kamrangirchar, causing widespread traffic disruptions. Commuters faced significant delays as traffic came to a standstill in these parts of the city.  

The demonstrations stemmed from a recent High Court order banning battery-powered rickshaws nationwide following a writ petition. Drivers have been rallying against this decision for several days, blocking roads and railway tracks in the capital as part of their protests.  

Last Friday, a clash erupted between rickshaw drivers and law enforcement officials in Jurain, where police resorted to firing tear gas to disperse the crowd. The protesters had blocked railway tracks, halting train services via the Padma Bridge for four hours.  

With the suspension of today’s sit-in, stakeholders and authorities are hopeful that Monday's discussions will lead to a resolution.