A worker was killed and at least nine others, including a woman, sustained bullet wounds in a clash among police, transport workers and toll collectors at Buriganga Bridge in the Hasnabad area of Keraniganj on the outskirts of the capital yesterday. Shohel, 28, a driver of a three-wheeler was declared dead after being taken to Ekuria General Hospital. Later, his body was sent to Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital. The incident took place on Friday morning as transport workers were protesting against the increased toll rate at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge in Hasnabad.
Those hit by bullet are Alamin, 20, Siddque, 40, Sobuj, 30, Liton 39, Billal, 23, Manik, 40, Akash, 25, Masud, 32 and Taslima, 50. The injured were taken to various hospitals in the area. Among them Akash, Masud and Taslima were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Bacchu Mia, sub-inspector of the DMCH police outpost, confirmed the treatment of three at the hospital. Workers and witnesses said transport workers started the protest yesterday morning against the increased toll for the bridge. Agitating workers blocked the road and stopped movement of vehicles. Later, the police took up position there and tried to disperse the workers.
Md Shajahan, officer-in-charge (OC) of South Keraniganj police station, said the police were attacked while they were trying to disperse the workers. The agitating workers also tried to set fire to police vehicles. At least 50 police personnel were injured.
The OC also confirmed the death of a worker, but claimed that he was not struck by a bullet fired by the police. The law enforcers only fired tear-gas shells and rubber bullets, he added. Locals said Alam Enterprise took lease of the bridge toll plaza on October 21. On October 22, CNG drivers demanded toll-free crossing of the bridge and the toll owners agreed. On October 23, truck drivers and transport workers started their movement demanding toll-free crossing.
Workers said toll money is still being collected from vehicles at the bridge and the toll rate was increased three days before, though duration of toll collection had ended several years back.
Workers claimed that the toll of a truck for crossing the bridge was 30 taka, but after getting lease, Alam Enterprise increased the rate to 240 taka. For that they were protesting.
On Friday, the protest turned into a skirmish. Witness said while the police were trying to disperse the workers, the workers hurled bricks at the police. Several vehicles, including police cars, were vandalised. Later, the police charged baton, lobbed tear-gas shells and fired rubber bullets, triggering a clash, leaving nine people with bullet wounds. At least 50 people were injured in the clash between workers and the police, witnesses said.
However, Shah Mizan Shafiur Rahman, SP of Dhaka District, told the media that he had heard about the death of one worker, but was not aware about the full incident. After getting to know the whole matter, he will confirm it, added the SP.
Movement of vehicles was disrupted on both sides of the bridge and in the area due to the clash since the morning.
The situation came under control after 12:00 noon and movement of vehicles resumed. But tension is still prevailing there.
Md Kamal, investigating officer from South Keraniganj police station, said the situation is now under control. Additional police force has been deployed to maintain law and order, he added.