Ctg mobile court comes under attack by pharmacy owners, staff

A mobile court came under attack allegedly by pharmacy owners and staff during a drive against unauthorised drugs on Chittagong city's KC Dey Road yesterday morning.

Easy One Pharmacy and Desh Medico were fined Tk 5,000 each, said Executive Magistrate Ruhul Amin of Chittagong District Administration, who led the drive.

When the mobile court went to Janaseba Pharmacy, the owners and staff of around 450 pharmacies from nearby Hazari Lane stormed into the spot and started hurling projectiles at police and Ansar personnel, said locals who claimed to have witnessed the incident.

Two Ansar men sustained minor injuries at that time, said Ruhul Amin.

Later, a clash ensued between law enforcers and the demonstrators as additional police rushed to the spot.

During the clash, police detained around 13 people, he said.

The situation was brought under control an hour later, said locals.

Samir Kanti Sikder, president of Chittagong district unit of Bangladesh Chemists and Druggists Association, said the court also "tried to seize legal medicines" from the pharmacies, prompting the owners and staff to take to the street.

They did not attack the law enforcers, he said.

They will go for tougher movement if the arrestees are not released within 72 hours, he said.

Ruhul Amin denied attempting to seize legal drugs.