Battery-run rickshaw drivers staged a protest blocking Jurain rail gate area in the capital on Friday (Nov 22), opposing the recently imposed ban on their operation along major city roads.

Following the protest train services on the Dhaka-Padma Bridge route have been suspended since 11 am.

Kamalapur Station Master Anwar Hossain confirmed the matter.

He said, "Battery-run rickshaw drivers began their protest at Jurain by occupying the railway tracks from 11 am. As a result, trains on the Dhaka-Padma Bridge and Dhaka-Narayanganj routes have been halted."

Train services on the Padma Bridge route would remain suspended until law enforcement members provide clearance. Passengers bound for Faridpur, Jhenaidah, Kushtia, Jashore, and Khulna are waiting at Kamalapur suburban station.

Shyampur Police Sub-Inspector (SI) Nazmun Nahar said, "Police members are present on the scene, trying to bring the situation under control. The situation is currently somewhat calm."

Earlier on Thursday (November 21), auto-rickshaw drivers blocked the rail gate at Mohakhali for six hours, halting train and vehicular movement and causing immense suffering to commuters.

During that protest, which began at 11 am, demonstrators threw stones at law enforcement, leading to a chase and counter-chase. Protesters vandalized railway stones, SKS Shopping Mall, RAOWA Club, and a City Bank ATM booth in Mohakhali.

The protests follow a High Court directive issued on Tuesday (November 19), ordering the suspension of battery-run rickshaws within three days in Dhaka metropolitan areas.

The order, given by a bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Mahmudur Raji, also issued a rule asking why the failure to enforce the ban should not be declared illegal. Authorities, including the home secretary, local government secretary, inspector general of police (IGP), Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner, and the city corporations, were instructed to implement the order.

BDST: 1611 HRS, NOV 22, 2024
MSK