Clashes Between Transport Workers and Police Disrupt Traffic in Chittagong Following Union Election Dispute
Photo Collected
CHITTAGONG — A violent confrontation between transport workers and police in Chittagong resulted in several injuries and widespread traffic disruptions on Tuesday, as workers blocked two major city thoroughfares following a disputed union election.
The clash erupted around 3:30 p.m. at the Dulhan Community Center in the Halishahar Eidgah area. The facility was serving as a polling station for the Chittagong Inter-District Road Transport Workers Union election when tensions escalated into a series of running battles.
According to police and witnesses, the unrest began when voters raised allegations of mismanagement and fraudulent balloting at the center. These complaints triggered a heated argument between opposing factions of workers. When police attempted to intervene to disperse the crowds, the situation deteriorated into a physical confrontation. Workers reportedly pelted officers with bricks, prompting police to fire tear gas shells to restore order.
Halishahar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kazi Muhammad Sultan Ahsan Uddin confirmed that he and three other officers sustained injuries during the skirmish. All four are currently receiving medical treatment at the Dampara Police Hospital.
Following the incident, transport workers organized blockades at the Kadamtali and Alankar areas. As both locations serve as primary hubs for long-distance transport, the protests brought bus services to Dhaka and other regional routes to a complete standstill, causing significant traffic gridlock across the city.
Monowar Hossain, secretary of the Chittagong Inter-District Bus Owners Association, stated that members of their observer team were also injured during the unrest. He noted that the environment became chaotic after police deployed tear gas in response to the projectiles thrown by the workers. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the blockade remains in place.
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