Rickshaw drivers left Shahbagh with a 5-day ultimatum

The agitating rickshaw pullers have lifted the blockade from Shahbagh with a 5-day ultimatum demanding 7 points of the Dhaka City Corporation Rickshaw Owners Union and 10 points of the National Rickshaw and Van Drivers Association, including the ban on battery-powered rickshaws. On Monday (26 August) the rickshaw drivers blocked from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. At this time, they gave an ultimatum to accept the demand until August 31.

General Secretary of Dhaka City Corporation Rickshaw Owners Union. Momin Ali said, we have submitted a memorandum to the chief counsel on our seven-point demand. A three-member delegation approached the Principal Adviser with the memorandum. The members of the delegation are, president Zahurul Islam Masum, organizing secretary Pradeep Kumar Bhowmik, associate general secretary Md. Yasin.

He said, we have given an ultimatum till August 31. If the demand is not met, a larger movement will be called in the future. We are the legal owner of the rickshaw. We are one lakh 43 thousand licensed valid rickshaw owners. We pay taxes to the government.

However, he said that he has not received any assurance about the claim yet.

He said that we do not have any program in the future, but if the demand is not met, a bigger program will be given.

Earlier, rickshaw pullers distributed leaflets with 7-point and 10-point demands. Whereas the National Rickshaw and Van Drivers Association has 10 points and the Dhaka City Corporation Rickshaw Owners Oikyazot has demanded 7 points.

Shakeel/Saa