Battery-run rickshaw drivers blocked the road in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Monday, disrupting traffic and causing severe congestion in surrounding areas.
The drivers initially gathered in Paltan around 10am before moving towards the National Press Club and taking positions on the road.
The blockade continued until around 12:30pm, when the protesters ended the program after holding a protest procession.
Witnesses and police said several passengers were forced to get off rickshaws during the blockade, causing further inconvenience.
The protesters raised several demands, including an end to the disconnection of electricity lines used to charge battery-run rickshaws. They also demanded that rickshaws be allowed to operate on roads where their movement is permitted and called for an end to harassment of drivers.
They further demanded the release of four rickshaw drivers who, according to the protesters, were arrested several days ago and sent to jail by an executive magistrate.
Rickshaw drivers and owners from Farmgate, Tejgaon, Mohammadpur, Rampura, Khilgaon and Agargaon, among other areas, joined the program.
Ramna Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Zahidul Islam said, the drivers had gathered over several demands. Police later intervened and brought the situation under control.
Then the traffic movement had returned to normal.
The blockade caused severe traffic congestion in nearby areas, with many commuters walking to their destinations. Rickshaw services were also reduced in areas including Rampura, Badda, Malibagh, Khilgaon, Motijheel, Mirpur and Mohammadpur.
The protesters chanted slogans including “Stop police harassment” and “Where there is a road, battery-run rickshaws should be allowed.”
A driver alleged that police charge drivers between Tk1,200 and Tk2,500 in fines or other payments when they are stopped while operating on roads.
“We want an end to police harassment,” he said.
At the rally, a leader of the organisation warned the authorities against taking steps that could escalate the situation.
“I want to make it clear to you: do not try to scratch a tiger’s ear with its tail. Dhaka residents know the devastating consequences of a tiger’s attack,” he said, referring to the possibility of a larger movement.
The leader said the organisation was not affiliated with any political group and had cooperated with governments regardless of who was in power.
He urged the government to sit with representatives of the sector, saying the livelihoods of a large number of people depend on battery-run rickshaws.
He also said the organisation did not support an increase in the number of illegal rickshaws in Dhaka, but opposed harassment of owners and drivers of legal rickshaws and the seizure of their vehicles in the name of dumping.
Another driver, Millad Mia, said they had blocked the road to protest the disconnection of electricity lines at rickshaw charging points, among other demands.
The drivers said illegal rickshaws should be dealt with under the law, while those operating legally should be allowed to run on designated roads.
The protesters warned that they would intensify their movement by occupying important roads in Dhaka if their demands were not addressed.