Battery-run rickshaw drivers have ended their demonstration at the capital’s Agargaon after four hours.
They started the protest around 10:30am this morning (25 November) by occupying the streets in the area in response to a High Court order to stop the operation of such three-wheelers.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s Office filed an appeal this morning seeking a stay on the 19 November High Court order that asked authorities concerned to stop the operation of battery-powered rickshaws on the streets of the Dhaka metropolitan area within three days.
Mentioning the appeal was submitted to the Appellate Division, Deputy Attorney General Nur Muhammad Azmi said the chamber judge might hear it today.
The protests, which started on 21 November and have been taking place every day since, stem from the High Court order issued on 19 November, directing authorities to halt the movement of battery-powered auto-rickshaws within three days. The government has yet to take any step in this regard.
On Saturday (23 November), the Rickshaw, Battery Rickshaw-Van, and Easybike Sangram Parishad at a rally issued a seven-day ultimatum for authorities concerned to finalise a guideline formulated specifically for them to operate on Dhaka streets.
Demanding a re-evaluation of the High Court order, the drivers and workers sought permission to operate following the implementation of the guideline.
They also presented a seven-point charter of demands aimed at resolving their challenges and securing their livelihoods.
Earlier yesterday (24 November), the battery-run rickshaw drivers and workers, who have been demonstrating around Dhaka city for the past few days, suspended the sit-in programme pressing 12 demands in front of the National Press Club.
They said they will meet Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali on Monday to find a solution to the crisis that stemmed from the High Court order.
The meeting between a group of representatives of the protesters and the DMP chief is scheduled to begin at 11am today.
“Depending on its outcome, the next action plan will be announced,” the organisation’s Convener Khalekuzzaman Lipan told reporters yesterday.
