Transport workers clashed in Sylhet over ‘embezzlement of money from welfare fund’

Two groups of transport workers clashed in Kadamtali of Sylhet after one of the groups protested against a transport leader for allegedly embezzling money from a welfare fund.

A group of workers started protesting against Sylhet Sarak Paribahan Sramik Union's President Selim Ahmed Folik around 1:00pm claiming that he embezzled Tk two crore from the workers' welfare fund.

Around 4:00pm, they broke into a clash with another group of workers who support the president. Two hours later, police controlled the situation and additional force was deployed in the area to avoid any further clashes, Zedan Al Musa, additional deputy commissioner (media) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, said.

Several buses at the Sylhet Central Bus Terminal in Kadamtali were damaged in the clash and at least five people were injured, said Mohammad Ismail, assistant commissioner for Dakshin Surma of Sylhet Metropolitan Police.

Allegations of embezzlement

"There should have been at least Tk 2.5 crore in the welfare fund but President Folik gave a statement saying there is only Tk 41 lakh in the fund. We believe that he embezzled the money," Milad Ahmed Riyad, organising secretary of Mitaly Sramik Union, was quoted as saying by our Sylhet correspondent.

The Daily Star's Sylhet correspondent reached out to Selim Ahmed Folik when the clash was still going on. He told our correspondent: "The clash is still going on and I am trying to resolve the problem. Will talk about the matter later."