At least 8 to 10 people, including policemen, were injured in a clash that broke out between battery-powered rickshaw drivers and police in Chattogram city.
The clash took place at Bahir Signal area under Chandgaon Police Station on Wednesday afternoon. This tension is still continuing.
The injured have been shifted to nearby hospital for treatment.
Police could not immediately identify the injured.
According to sources, CMP traffic police started a drive against illegal battery-operated rickshaws in Chattogram city from beginning of this month. Till Tuesday, 2,896 battery-operated rickshaws were seized from different parts of the city. Battery-operated rickshaw drivers blocked the road at Bahir Signal area under Chandgaon police station on Wednesday afternoon centering the ongoing drive. When the police obstructed it, a clash broke out at one stage.
Then there was brick throwing incident between the two sides.
Later, the army arrived on the spot and brought the situation under control.
Police fired tear shells to bring the situation under control. Still, the incidents of clashes continuing.
Auto-rickshaw drivers complain that it is inhuman to suddenly impose a ban without providing any alternative employment.
They sought the administration's intervention to solve the problem quickly.
Chandgaon Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Md Aftab Uddin said battery-operated rickshaws are not allowed on the main roads of the city. But the drivers don't accept it. As a result, the incident happen.
He further added that when police launched a drive against battery-operated rickshaws, they organized and attacked the police. The police tried to disperse them.
The police drive against battery-operated rickshaws continues, added the OC.
AH/SH
