Restriction on ride-sharing: bikers block road near DMP headquarters

Motorcyclists operating their vehicles under ride-sharing services blocked a road near Dhaka Metropolitan Police Headquarters today, demanding that the government allow them to continue their services during the weeklong restriction on public movement and transports.

A video circulated on social media shows that the bikers parked their motorcycles on the road, blocking it.

However, Officer-in-charge of Ramna Police Station Monirul Islam said the motorcyclists staged a demonstration near Moghbazar for a few minutes and then left.

Meanwhile, the bikers also demonstrated in front of Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka this morning, protesting cases filed against them for operating amid the government's restriction.

Over 100 motorcyclists gathered in front of the Press Club around 10:30 am and started protesting, reports our photojournalist Palash Khan from the spot. 

The motorcyclists said they want to run their services, maintaining health guidelines.

Many said they lost their full-time jobs due to Covid-19 induced fallout and later joined ride-sharing services.

"We have no jobs. If the police keep slapping fines this way, from where will we manage the money (to pay the fine)?" -- said biker Md Abdullah, against whom police filed two cases.

"Where will we go? What will we do?" -- he asked, showing slips of the cases.

"If the government is allowing bus services inside the cities, why not allow bikes?" -- asked another demonstrator. 

Talking to The Daily Star, Traffic Inspector Bashar, who was on duty there, said police were trying to convince them to stop their demonstration.

"The government has restricted for a week. Please wait. The government will certainly consider the matter after the weeklong restriction," Bashar told the demonstrators.