50 hurt as transport workers, police clash in Habiganj

Habiganj Correspondent: At least 50 people including policemen were injured as CNG run auto-rickshaw workers and police clashed in Nasratpur under Shaistaganj upazila of the district on Friday.

Locals said earlier police directed the auto-rickshaw drivers not to ply on Dhaka-Sylhet highways violating ban. But, protesting the ban, auto-rickshaw workers took position in the highway with banner and festoons. Meanwhile, police tried to foil the demonstration which triggered the clash, leaving 50 people including policemen injured.

The injured were sent to Habiganj Sadar Hospital and local hospitals.

Shaistaganj highway police station officer-in-charge (OC) Md Jasimuddin Khandakar said police seized five auto-rickshaws on Thursday as these vehicles were seen plying on highway violating the High Court order. The auto-rickshaw owners and workers association requested for releasing the vehicles but police did not. On Friday, they blocked the highway and clash erupted as police tried to remove them.

Wishing anonymity a police officer said that at least ten policemen were injured during the clash. Later, additional forces from Habiganj brought the situation under control.


risingbd/Habiganj/Apr 27, 2018/Mamun Chowdhury/Nasim