Published : 11 Oct 2026, 09:35 AM
Updated : 11 Oct 2026, 09:35 AM
Battery-run rickshaw drivers who took their vehicles onto the streets instead of joining a protest in Dhaka have faced attacks, with protesters cutting their rickshaws’ wires.
The incidents occurred on Sunday as protesters gathered around the National Press Club and Paltan, demanding an end to alleged police harassment and the impounding of battery-run rickshaws, as well as unrestricted movement on all roads in the capital.
Around 7:30am, several protesters were seen stopping battery-run rickshaws on the streets in the New Market area and cutting their wires.
Around 8am, a group of 20 to 25 protesters also attacked fellow rickshaw drivers at Shankar Bus Stand in Dhanmondi.
After the wires of 20 to 25 battery-run rickshaws were cut, several drivers gathered to protest against the demonstrators. The protesters then beat them when they objected, leaving at least three drivers injured at the bus stand.
Raisul, an injured battery-run rickshaw driver, told bdnews24.com: “We did not know where the protest was taking place. We took our vehicles out in the morning, and they started cutting the wires without saying anything. When we asked why, they beat us.”
Newton, a rickshaw driver taking part in the protest, said: “The protest was announced four days ago. They took their vehicles onto the roads today instead of joining it. That is why we are cutting the wires. They then say they did not know about it, so they got beaten.”
A few days ago, the drivers warned that they would announce tougher programmes if the alleged harassment and impounding of their vehicles did not stop. They gave the warning while protesting outside the National Press Club.
The drivers’ gathering and protest effectively halted battery-run rickshaw services in different parts of the capital from the morning.
Fewer battery-run rickshaws were seen in areas including Rampura, Badda, Malibagh, Khilgaon, Motijheel, Mirpur and Mohammadpur.
