CNG -run autorickshaw drivers demanded on Wednesday that the government allow them to operate their vehicles from today (Thursday) by maintaining health safety guidelines during the ongoing countrywide strict lockdown enforced for the alarming surge in coronavirus infections.
They warned that they would announce a tougher movement from a rally tomorrow (Friday) if they were not allowed to operate vehicles from today.
The drivers under the banner of Bangladesh CNG Autorickshaw Drivers Struggle Council made the demand in a statement signed by its convener and joint conveners Sheikh Hanif, Aminul Islam, AR Arif and Md Golap Hossain respectively.
They said that except for one week during the last Eid-ul-Azha the government imposed restriction on plying of CNG-run auto-rickshaws on roads over the last one month, putting their lives and livelihoods in jeopardy.
Since the start of the lockdown, 50,000 drivers have been rendered jobless.
They also lamented that despite the ongoing financial crisis being faced by the auto-rickshaw drivers the government is yet to provide them with any financial support to cope with the present adverse situation due to the pandemic.
