Dinajpur, Joypurhat
Old tyre sale on rise to use those as protest tool
Sale of old tyres has seen a boom in Dinajpur and Joypurhat in the last two months, not for an increase in recycling but for the rise in the frequency of different protests.
Being readily available, flammable and capable of producing huge volumes of thick black noxious smoke and of burning for long hours, tyres have become a favourite signature of protest during hartals and agitations.
A single tyre, depending on its size, costs between Tk 300 and 800.
Mohammad Shahin, running a shop selling old, used and worn out tyres in Dinajpur Bus Terminal, told The Daily Star that his sales have marked a remarkable rise in the months of November and December, thanks to the protests.
“I have sold at least 34 tyres from the first of November till December 13,†he said, adding that on an average month, only around five to seven tyres are sold.
The conventional use of old tyres are in repairing others which are in a better off condition and in fuelling brick kilns, he said.
Another such shop owner in Suihari area, Md Azahar Ali, said he sold around Tk 30,000 worth tyres during the same period. “I do not know who the buyers are, but my tyres were sold off very quickly,†he said.
“During the recent street protests of the opposition throughout the northern districts, the agitators burnt heaps of tyres on the streets around the town and nearby highway,†said another shop owner, Md Abul Kalam Azad.
The anti-coalmine protesters also burnt scores of tyres in Phulbari upazila, including Nimtola intersection and Dhakamore areas, between November 23 and 26, blanketing the areas in black smoke.
Law enforcers said protesters burn old tyres to signify their presence and attract attention to their demands.
“Police has been dousing burning tyres at many places of the district town and elsewhere,†said Dinajpur Superintendent of Police Moinul Islam, adding that such acts pose a serious fire risk.
Burning tyres releases toxic smoke and chemicals into the air, causing significant damage to the environment, said Dr Shakhawat Hossain Khan, head of soil science department of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science & Technology University.
It also makes breathing difficult and adversely affects human health, he said.
Dinajpur Municipality Mayor Md Jahangir Alam, also the district BNP member, said, “We can demonstrate in other ways without burning tyres.â€
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