The fast-evolving political situation since October 28 has plunged the country into misery. From Dhaka’s lower-income individuals to students, general people are bearing the brunt.
Ramzan Ali, a rickshaw-puller living in Kamrangir Char with his family, outlined the stark contrast between before the blockades started and now. Previously earning Tk 800 to 1,000 daily, he now struggles to make more than Tk 300 to 400. A significant part of that daily earning, Tk 120, goes to the owner of the rickshaw.
Read: Prolonged blockades cause visible slump in economic activity
Babul Prasad, president of Dhaka Flower Traders Welfare Multipurpose Cooperative Society, emphasized the plight they face. The flower trade, largely seasonal from October to March, has been severely impacted. Their usual daily retail earnings of Tk 50 lakh have dwindled to Tk 20 lakh. This loss is colossal, leading to circumstances where even disposing of unsold, rotting flowers incurs expenses. The situation is unsustainable for both the farmers and the business community if this crisis prolongs.
Shahnaz, a bangle seller, detailed the financial hardship her family faces. As the sole earner, she used to make Tk 1,000-2,000 per day, but the current political situation has left her unable to afford even daily necessities. The financial strain has led to discontinuing her child’s education for the time being.
Read: Uncertainty, tension grip students, parents amid raging political crisis
Bus drivers, vegetable vendors, and day laborers have been hit the hardest, barely earning a third of what they used to.
Moreover, the ongoing blockade instils fear, especially with buses being burned frequently. The entire situation is a chaotic mess that urgently needs resolution.
Unidentified miscreants set ablaze two buses in Tejgaon of Dhaka and in Adamjee EPZ in Narayanganj last night. Additionally, arsonists burnt down seven buses in various areas of Dhaka, including Jatrabari, Gulistan, Gabtoli, near Notre Dame College, Rupnagar, Sutrapur, and Mirpur, between 8 pm on Saturday and 6 am on Sunday, just before the commencement of the latest blockade, aiming to instil fear and chaos among the public.
Read: Economy buffeted by political unrest amid declining forex reserves: Analysts