Battery-powered autorickshaw drivers in Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka, have suspended services and staged demonstrations at several locations, protesting increases in garage rent and demanding lower rents and higher passenger fares.
The drivers announced the joint protest through loudspeaker announcements in different areas late on Monday night (13 October), urging all drivers not to take their autorickshaws out of garages on Tuesday.
Since Tuesday morning, groups of drivers have gathered at various locations across Savar, carrying sticks and staging demonstrations. They have also blocked roads, including the Dhaka-Aricha highway, to prevent autorickshaws from operating on roads and lanes.
The drivers said the protest would continue for three days.
During the demonstrations, protesters stopped autorickshaws operating on roads and highways and forced passengers to get off. They deflated tyres and detained vehicles. Some drivers were also assaulted for continuing to carry passengers.
However, protesters were not seen obstructing other vehicles.
Speaking to The Business Standard during visits to different parts of Savar in the morning, several drivers, including Md Sabuj and Aslam Sheikh, said garages previously charged Tk150 per autorickshaw, including battery charging costs.
They said garage owners had raised the rent several times over the past year and a half, citing higher electricity bills. On Monday, the charge was increased to Tk250 per autorickshaw, they added.
The protesting drivers demanded the immediate withdrawal of the increased rent. They also called for a reasonable rent adjustment based on electricity costs and higher passenger fares.
Around 11am, no autorickshaws were seen operating on roads in Bank Town, Katlapur, Genda, Ulail and Talbagh, among other areas in Savar municipality.
Some autorickshaws were still carrying passengers on the Dhaka-Aricha highway. At Ulail bus stand, however, protesters stopped them and forced passengers to get off. They also deflated the vehicles' tyres. Several drivers were seen being assaulted for continuing to transport passengers.
No law enforcement personnel were seen at the protest sites during visits to different parts of Savar.
Contacted by TBS, Savar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Saiful Alam said police had not received any reports of protesters carrying sticks, stopping autorickshaws, deflating tyres or assaulting drivers.
"We will take strict legal action if we receive such complaints," he said. He added that additional police personnel had been deployed at various locations.
The OC said the drivers had told police they were staging a united, peaceful protest.
However, police were investigating whether any other group was involved or whether the protest had any ulterior motives, he added.