Auto rickshaw drivers in Mangaluru protest against introduction of electric rickshaws
Mangaluru: On Thursday, the Association of Dakshina Kannada District Auto Rickshaw Drivers and Owners Unions, backed by various like-minded unions, staged a large-scale protest in Mangaluru, demanding the revocation of the permission granted to operate electric auto rickshaws in the district. The protestors, who are primarily concerned about the impact on their livelihoods, urged the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mullai Muhilan to reconsider the decision.
The protest began with a procession, labeled as ‘DC Office Chalo,’ which commenced at Ambedkar Circle (Jyothi Circle) in Balmatta and culminated at Clock Tower Circle in Hampankatta. The protestors insisted that the DC personally accept their memorandum outlining their grievances. To maintain order, security was heightened along the procession route, with barricades and police personnel strategically positioned to prevent any untoward incidents.
Sunil Kumar Bajal, a leader from the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), addressed the gathered crowd, accusing DC Muhilan of making a biased decision in favor of electric auto rickshaws. Bajal highlighted that Mangaluru, the district headquarters, has around 9,000 auto rickshaw drivers who depend on their vehicles for their livelihood. Introducing electric auto rickshaws, he argued, could threaten their source of income.
Bajal further questioned the rationale behind the decision, pointing out that neighboring districts have not received similar orders to introduce electric rickshaws. He suggested that the decision might be a result of a deal between the district administration and electricity supply companies. He also raised concerns about potential clashes between auto rickshaw drivers and law enforcement due to the increased number of vehicles on the roads. According to Bajal, Mangaluru city has 115 designated rickshaw parks, but space limitations often lead to disputes, with drivers facing legal action if they exceed the permitted parking limits.
The protest, described as a warning to the district authorities, included demands for the immediate withdrawal of the permission granted for electric rickshaws. The association also called for a comprehensive survey to assess the challenges faced by auto rickshaw drivers in the district and urged the authorities to find appropriate solutions.
Key figures in the protest included Ashok Shetty Bolar, the President of the Association, along with other leaders such as Aboobaker Surathkal, Mushtaq Ali, Stanley Noronha, Arun Kumar, and Appu Swamy, who participated in the demonstration.
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Indian visa application centre suspended indefinitely in Bangladesh's Chattogram
Dhaka (PTI): India on Sunday suspended visa operations at its mission in Bangladeshi port city of Chattogram until further notice, according to media reports.
The move comes in the wake of a fresh wave of unrest witnessed in the country following the death of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi.
His death triggered attacks and vandalism across Bangladesh, including stone-hurling at the Assistant Indian High Commissioner's residence in Chattogram on Thursday.
Hadi, a prominent leader of the student-led protests last year that led to the ouster of the prime minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, was a candidate for the scheduled February 12 general elections.
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He was shot in the head on December 12 by masked gunmen at an election campaign in central Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area and died while undergoing treatment in Singapore on December 18.
“Due to the recent security incident at Assistant High Commission of India (AHCI) Chittagong, Indian visa operations at IVAC Chittagong (Chattogram) will remain suspended from 21/12/2025 until further notice,” the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) said in a brief statement.
The announcement for reopening the visa centre will be made after reviewing the situation, the statement added. The decision came into effect on Sunday.
There are five IVAC facilities across Bangladesh at Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Chattogram and Sylhet. An IVAC official told PTI that the other four offices have remained operational as of Sunday.
India on Thursday resumed operations at its visa application centre in Dhaka, a day after closing it over escalated security concerns, but closed for a brief period two other identical facilities in Rajshahi and Khulna as anti-India protestors tried to march towards the Indian missions there.
On Saturday, security was strengthened at the Indian Assistant High Commission office and the visa application centre in Bangladesh's Sylhet city.
The enhanced security measures were put in place to ensure that “no third party can exploit the situation,” Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) of the Sylhet Metropolitan Police Saiful Islam was quoted as saying by The Dhaka Tribune newspaper on Saturday.
Hadi, 32, was laid to rest on Saturday amid extra-tight security beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam near the Dhaka University mosque.
Tens of thousands of people attended the funeral prayers, and ahead of the ritual, chanted anti-India slogans like “Delhi or Dhaka - Dhaka, Dhaka” and “brother Hadi’s blood will not be allowed to go in vain.”
Earlier on December 17, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Bangladesh envoy Riaz Hamidullah and conveyed its strong concern over certain extremist elements announcing plans to create a security situation around the Indian mission in Dhaka.
“We expect the interim government to ensure the safety of Missions and Posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligations,” it said.
The envoy was apprised of India's strong concerns about the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh, it added.
