Dhaka: Leaders of Dhaka City Three-Wheeler CNG Auto-Rickshaw Workers Union on Saturday urged the authorities concerned to stop sending their drivers to jail instantly by mobile courts for trivial matters as it causes huge sufferings to their families.

Speaking at a human chain programme, they said the mobile courts can file cases against drivers or fine them if they make simple mistakes instead of jailing them.  

‘Mobile courts are sending our drivers to jail for small matters without allowing them to defend. They can file cases against us or fine us if we make mistakes,’ said union president Sheikh Selim.

The programme was arranged in front of the Jatiya Press Club by the Dhaka City Three-Wheeler CNG Auto-Rickshaw Workers Union to put forward its 10-point demand.

The union leaders said family members of the poor drivers who are sent to jail by the mobile courts have to suffer a lot in absence of their bread earners.

They urged the Bangladesh Road Transport Authorities (BRTA) and Traffic division to carry out a campaign to make owners, drivers and passengers aware so that they obey the law and rules and regulations.

Later, Sheikh Selim placed their 10-point demands at the programme and urged the authorities concern to meet those immediately.

Their demands include amending the ‘CNG/Petrol Driven 4-Stroke Three Wheeler Service Policy, 2007 and its proper implementation to remove chaos over rent, making the driving license issuance system easier, setting up necessary parking and stand places for auto-rickshaws, and distributing 5,000 three-wheeler CNG Auto-Rickshaws among drivers as per the government’s earlier announcement.

Dhaka City Three-Wheeler CNG Auto-Rickshaw Workers Union executive president Masud Rana, vice-resident Wahid Bokul, general secretary Siraj and adviser Wahidul Hoque, among others, spoke at the programme.