Battery-powered rickshaw drivers block roads protesting electricity supply cut

Battery-powered auto-rickshaw drivers blocked the road in front of the National Press Club in the capital on Monday afternoon, protesting the disconnection of electricity supplies used to charge their vehicle batteries, halting vehicular movement in the area.
The drivers, chanting slogans, demanded immediate restoration of the electricity connections.
They said that they were facing serious difficulties after electricity connections used to charge their auto-rickshaw batteries were removed.
According to them, without electricity, they cannot charge their batteries, which leaves them unable to operate their vehicles and earn a living.
The road blockade disrupted traffic in front of the Press Club and caused congestion on nearby roads, leaving commuters and pedestrians suffering.
Sahed Ali, an auto-rickshaw driver, said, “We have blocked the road over several demands, including the disconnection of electricity at autorickshaw charging points. We will not leave the road unless our demands are met.”
He also alleged that traffic police harass auto-rickshaw drivers and impound their vehicles, often filing cases carrying fines of Tk5,000.
Another driver, Abdul Ahad, said, “Auto-rickshaws should be allowed to operate wherever roads are available.”
“There are millions of auto-rickshaw drivers in the country who depend on this profession for their livelihoods. So, autorickshaw drivers should not be harassed in any way. Action should be taken against those operating illegally, but we operate legally and should not be harassed,” he said.
Hundreds of drivers gathered in front of the Press Club since the morning and took positions on the road around 10:30am, said Zahidul Islam, deputy commissioner of police for the Ramna Division.