Workers clash with police during City Corporation drive at Tejgaon

Agitated workers, hurling brickbats, have fought pitched battles with police during a Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) drive to evict an illegal truck terminal at the Tejgaon Industrial area.

DNCC Mayor Annisul Huq took shelter at the office of Bangladesh Truck and Covered Van Drivers’ Union during the clash on Sunday.

Clashes erupted when police charged with batons and lobbed teargas canisters at workers who were trying to obstruct the evictions.

A worker and a bdnews24.com photojournalist have been injured.

Railways Minister Mazibul Hoque was on the spot when the clashes started. 

He went to the drivers’ union offices for a while before leaving the embattled zone.

A bdnews24.com correspondent from the site reported that tension was running high after one worker was hit by a teargas canister.

Agitated workers blocked the road and fought with police after rumours spread that a worker had been killed.

Truck labourers alleged their fellow worker Jashim Uddin, 40, was injured in police firing.

He has been taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

bdnews24.com’s photojournalist Tanvir Ahammed was hit on the head by a brick and his camera was damaged. He is being treated at a local health facility.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Additional Deputy Commissioner Wahidul Islam told bdnews24.com that there was “some tension” as the DNCC was evicting illegally parked trucks and other establishments.

“The situation is relatively calm now,” he added.

But TV footage showed workers blocking the road with burning tyres and staging demonstrations even after 3pm.

Apparently annoyed, Mayor Huq said: “We must bring back discipline. There’s no reason to listen to a few people if they protest.

“We’re working to make sure the people can move freely. There’s no reason to be afraid.”

When asked what was happening, he said, “Some people are hurling brickbats… it’s uncalled for.”

The mayor said the truck owners and the councillors of the area were with him.

Many had removed their trucks following DNCC orders; the drive was against those who had not yet complied, he explained.

“The law will take its course. What do they think of themselves?

“The drive will continue,” the mayor said.