Dhaka, Jul 16– At least 40 people, including two policemen and a journalist, were injured in a clash between law enforcers and CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers at Borotakia Bazar in Mirsarai Upazila of Chittagongbon Saturday afternoon.Mirsarai Upazila Nirbahi officer Zia Ahmed Suman said an altercation was taken place between Khaiachhara Union Parishad chairman Jahed Iqbal and sub-inspector Jakir of Chowdhuryhat Highway Police when the SI intercepted a CNG-run auto-rickshaw carrying the chairman around 3:30 pm.
Identifying himself as a UP chairman, Jahed asked SI Jakir to release the auto-rickshaw, however, the law enforcer threatened to torch the vehicle, alleged the chairman.
Following the incident, several hundred auto-rickshaw drivers blocked Dhaka-Chittagong Highway keeping their three-wheelers here and there around 5:00 pm, creating a long tailback on the both sides of the busy highway.
On information, a team of police, led by officer-in-charge (Investigation) of Mirsarai Police Station Jakir Hossain, reached the spot and urged the auto-rickshaw drivers to withdraw the blockade within 10 minutes.
As the drivers didn’t pay any heed to the OC, law enforcers started to charge baton to disperse the gathering.
In retaliation, the auto-rickshaw drivers hurled brickbats towards the policemen that triggered the clash, leaving at least 40 people injured including SI Jahir and constable Mehrab of Mirsarai Police Station and Mirsarai correspondent Bipur Das of the vernacular daily Samakal.
The injured were admitted to several local hospitals.
Police arrested four people, including UP chairman Jahed Iqbal, on the charge of carrying out attack on police and creating disorder on the highway. – UNB
