The CNG-run autorickshaw owners, drivers and workers in Chittagong yesterday declared a dawn-to-dusk strike in greater Chittagong area on August 13 protesting the government’s decision to ban all three-wheelers on all highways of the country, reports our correspondent in Chittagong.
Chittagong Divisional CNG-run Autorickshaw and Tempo Shramik Union’s Chief Advisor Waziullah, also the advisor of four organisations of auto-rickshaw and tempo owners and workers in Chittagong district, confirmed the news of strike to Dhaka Tribune.
The strike would be enforced in Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachhari, Lakshmipur, Noakhali and Feni districts, he said. They would begin their protest on August 4 by staging human chains and protest demonstrations on the Dhaka-Chittagong, Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong-Rangamati-Khagrachhari highways.
“We will also stage protest rally at the Chittagong Central Shahid Minar and submit a memorandum to Roads and Bridges Minister through the Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong district on August 9. Afterwards, we will hold a grand rally at the port city’s Laldighi Ground on August 13 after enforcing the strike,” he added.
Waziullah further said the decisions were made after a meeting amongst the organisations of three wheelers in Chittagong after staging demonstrations on the three highways in Chittagong district yesterday.
PROTESTS ALONG THE DHAKA-CHITTAGONG HIGHWAY
In the wake of deaths of over 240 people in road accidents before and after the Eid-ul-Fitr across the country, the government clamped a ban on the movement of three-wheelers, auto-rickshaws and non-motorised vehicles on highways across the country with effect from August 1.
Protesting the decision, different CNG-run three-wheelers organisations of Mirsarai upazila in Chittagong enforced an indefinite strike in the upazila since yesterday.
Baro Awlia Highway Police Outpost Officer-in-Charge Md Shahidullah said the demonstration however could not hamper the vehicular movement of the most important highway of the country.
Besides, some other protesters blocked the important highway at Fouzdarhat area under Sitakunda upazila around 2:30pm; police removed the blockade within half an hour, he added.
Another group of protesters also took position on both sides of the Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar highway in Vellapara area under Potiya upazila, said local sources.
The protesting three-wheeler owners and drivers said about 10 lakh people across the country would be jobless by this sudden decision.
They said it is not true that the three-wheelers are always responsible for accidents on the highways. They also asked if any accident occurs after the ban of three-wheelers on the highways, would the minister resign from his post?
Waziullah said the government should introduce substitute measures for the people of this sector, otherwise thousands of transport workers and their families would suffer immensely.
Meanwhile, our correspondent in Munshiganj reported that protesters also blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway in the Gajaria upazila area of Munshiganj around 11am yesterday, causing immense traffic jam on that highway section. Traffic movement became normal after the barricades were removed from the highway in the afternoon.
Gajaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahabuba Bilkis said the administration took prompt steps to remove the blockaders.
