Police-hawkers clash in Chattogram. Photo : Collected
On Monday (12 February) a hawker sustained bullet injuries while four others including three policemen were injured in a clash between police and hawkers in New Market area of Chattogram port city over evicting hawkers on Monday.
Obaidul Haque, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station, said a team of police went to the New Market area to evict hawkers as per the directives of the city corporation authorities around 4 pm.
Witnesses said when the police and executive magistrates were evicting some hawkers, a group of hawkers gathered there. Later, they brought out a procession and obstructed police in the eviction drive.
A chase and counter chase took place among them, triggering a clash that turned the New Market area into a battlefield. The hawkers hurled brick chips targeting police, prompting them to take action.
Additional forces of police also joined them and fired rubber bullets to disperse the hawkers. A hawker sustained bullet injuries during the firing and he was taken to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital.
Besides, three policemen and a hawker were injured in the clash.
Vehicular movement and shops on Reazuddin Bazar, GPO and Kotwali area remained at standstill during the clash.
Earlier, police evicted hawkers from the Station Road in New Market area due to traffic congestion on February 8. The Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) were monitoring the area every day to check the position of hawkers.
Messenger/Sumon
