DHAKA: The city dwellers suffered heavily as non-stop 72-hours CGN-run auto-rickshaw strike is underway second day in the capital on Wednesday. 

Buses were seen overcrowded as no auto-rickshaw plying on streets in city thoroughfare.

CNG auto-rickshaw drivers and owners became divided. Some of them were not interested to continue the strike.

Following the strike and heavy rain, the sufferings of city dwellers including office-bound people, patients mounted in the morning.

Earlier, on Monday evening, Dhaka City CNG-run Auto-rickshaw Malik Oikhya Parishad, a platform of CNG-run auto rickshaw owners, called the strike.

Leader of the organization Faridul Islam Khasru told banglanews, “We are staging the movement to press home our three-point demands.”

The leader also warned to wage tougher movement if their demands are not met.

Their demands include increasing auto-rickshaw’s lifespan upto 15 years, as recommended by a joint committee of Communications Ministry.

On the other hand, Dhaka District Auto-Rickshaw-Auto-tempu-Mishuk Sromik Union General Secretary Golam Faruk told banglanews, “Owners are observing the strike to fulfill their interest. The drivers have no link with the agitation.”

BDST: 1308 HRS, MAY 28, 2014