Press Club Area Echoes with Slogan: “Give Us Rice and Clothes, or Step Down”

Staff Reporter

Autorickshaw drivers protested by blocking the road in front of the National Press Club in the capital. They chanted slogans including ‘Give me food, give me clothes, or else leave me the mattress’.

Hundreds of auto-rickshaw drivers took up positions on the road in front of the National Press Club after 11 am on Monday, demanding several demands. This blocked traffic on the road. They left the road after about an hour and a half.

The autorickshaw drivers said they are holding this program to protest the disconnection of electricity at autorickshaw charging points in different areas of the capital. At the same time, they made several demands, including an end to harassment of autorickshaw drivers.

The drivers said that many roads were empty of autorickshaws due to low traffic in various areas of the capital since morning. They also said that they will continue the protest until their demands are met.

Autorickshaw driver Saiful Islam, who participated in the sit-in program, said, “Where there are roads, autos will ply. Harassment of auto drivers must stop. There are millions of auto drivers in the country who make a living by driving autos.”

Traffic was disrupted in the Press Club area due to the blockade. Police were on alert to control the situation. Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner Zahidul Islam said, “Police are on alert at the scene to prevent chaos.”