Hundreds of transport workers have taken to the streets to press for their demands over the mismanagement in the health and safety protocols needed in small vehicles in Brahmanbaria.
The protest was held at the intersection of Dhaka-Sylhet and Comilla-Sylhet Highways on Wednesday 10-11am under the banner of Paribahan Malik Shramik Oikkya Parishad.
The protesters said they are operating with half the number of passengers they used to take, obliging the High Court’s order. But all kinds of small vehicles such as three-wheelers and CNG-run auto-rickshaws do not care about health protocols and cramped with 5-6 passengers each.
“We welcomed the decision of the government because we know it is the best way to keep ourselves and passengers safe amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet the small vehicles are running on the streets without maintaining the health protocols and it is highly unacceptable,” said Md Hanif, general secretary of the district's Bus Owners Association.
Niyamat Khan, general secretary of Local Bus Owners Association said, It is not only risky for the passengers, but the bus workers are also feeling deprived.
“The authority needs to implement the high court’s order on the roads. If it does not come under the proper directive within seven days we will continue our protest,” said the protester.
Additional police were deployed in the area as the protesters placed their vacant vehicles on the highway and created a traffic jam, police said.
Contacted, Khatihata police outpost OC Md Moniruzzaman said: “I have just been assigned to this police station and I will coordinate with the authorities soon. Legal actions will be taken against people who defy the government’s rule.”
