In a joint statement, eight student organisations and nine socio-cultural bodies protested the decision to make Kalabagan to Azimpur road off-limits to rickshaws from July in implementation of a three-phase ban.

The government restriction that came after the World Bank's suggestion to reduce traffic jam aims at making the entire Mirpur Road from Gabtali to Azimpur free from rickshaws. The bar to rickshaws will come full circle with banning the slow-moving vehicles from 41 city bus-routes in phases.

Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Biplobi Chhatra Maitry, Bangladesh Chhatra Maitry, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Bangladesh Chhatra Federation, Bangladesh Chhatra Kendra, Chhatra Oikya Forum, Samajbadi Chhatra Jote, Uttoron, Dhaboman, Dhrubotara, Propad, Nari Progati, Shuchana Adhyayan O Anushilan Kendra, Shangskritik Union, Paribesh Bikkhan and Charan Sangskritik Kendra however yesterday argued that the government evicted rickshaws from many city streets without ensuring alternative employment for the pullers.

They demanded immediate withdrawal of the decision on restricting rickshaw.

The Rickshaw Uchched Protirodh Sangram Committee, an umbrella of rickshawpullers, meanwhile has organised a demonstration rally at Nilkhet circle today.