Clash between microbus, CNG drivers in Srimangal, 14 people including 5 journalists injured
Srimangal (Moulvibazar) Correspondent
A clash occurred between microbus and CNG-powered autorickshaw drivers in Srimangal, Moulvibazar. 14 people from both sides, including 5 journalists, were injured in this. The injured received primary treatment at the Upazila Health Complex. 5 of them have been sent to Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital.
Eyewitnesses said that on Tuesday morning, a Noah car collided with a CNG on Habiganj Road. This led to an argument between the Noah and the CNG driver. Later, it turned into a clash.
The leaders of the CNG Workers Union alleged that some microbus drivers came to their office and attacked them. In this, some of their drivers were injured. Later, the CNG drivers came to the city square with sticks and blocked the road. And micro-buses took up positions on Bhanugach Road.
Traffic in the city was disrupted during this time. Nearly a thousand vehicles, including heavy vehicles, were stranded on the Dhaka-Sylhet regional highway. Commuters suffered as traffic was blocked for nearly three hours.
Bricks and stones were thrown between the two sides of transport workers on the city's Station Road. At this time, panic prevailed among traders and pedestrians. Traders closed their shops in fear. Journalists Ujjwal Kumar Das, Ismail Mahmud, Ehsanul Haque, Amjad Hossain Bachchu, Nur Mohammad Sagar and Al Amin Mia were injured during the clash.
Transport workers Chayan Mia, Rabbi, Ayub Ali, Vishal, Shawkat, Rakib Mia, Billal Mia and Amir Mia were injured in the clash between the two sides.
Haji Kamal Hossain, general secretary of the Srimangal Business Association, told media personnel, "A few shops have also been attacked in the clash between two labor unions. If the administration does not handle it fairly, we businessmen will be forced to organize a strike-like program."
Sheikh Zahirul Islam Munna, officer-in-charge of Srimangal Police Station, said, "The situation is under the control of the police. Both parties have been removed from the road and traffic has been normalized. No party has filed a complaint with the police station yet in this incident."
Meanwhile, local MP Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury told the media, "We are going to a good solution through discussions with our Srimangal businessmen, truck owners, workers' transport organizations, and CNG organizations. You do your normal work. You open your shops and do business without fear. Why won't there be any more trouble now?"
