Rickshaw pullers who were protesting with a 5-day ultimatum have lifted their blockade from Shahbagh after demanding the cessation of battery-operated rickshaws, among other issues.
The protest was organised in support of the seven-point demand of the Dhaka City Corporation Rickshaw Owners' Unity Council and the 10-point demand of the National Rickshaw and Van Pullers' Association.
They blocked the roads from 10:30am to 12:00pm on Monday (26 August), during which they issued an ultimatum to meet their demands by 31 August.
Dhaka City Corporation Rickshaw Owners' Unity Council General Secretary Md Momin Ali stated that they have submitted a memorandum to the chief adviser regarding their seven-point demand.
A three-member delegation, including the association's president Zahurul Islam Masum, organising secretary Pradip Kumar Bhowmik, and joint general secretary Md Yasin, delivered the memorandum.
Md Momin Ali further mentioned that they have given the government until 31 August to meet their demands, failing which they will call for a larger movement.
He emphasised that they are the legal owners of the rickshaws, holding 143,000 licensed rickshaws, and they duly pay taxes to the government.
However, he noted that they have not received any assurance regarding their demands yet.
He also clarified that there are no immediate plans for further protests, but a larger programme will be announced if their demands are not met.
Earlier, the rickshaw pullers distributed leaflets outlining their demands, with the National Rickshaw and Van Pullers' Association presenting 10 points and the Dhaka City Corporation Rickshaw Owners' Unity Council presenting seven points.
