20 hurt as bus, auto-rickshaw workers clash

At least 20 people were injured when a clash broke out between bus and CNG auto-rickshaw workers in Naogaon's Manda upazila yesterday.

During the clash, two buses and 15 auto-rickshaws were vandalised. The clash took place around 3:00pm in Sabaihat and Ferighat areas. Following the clash, the movement of vehicles remained suspended on the Naogaon-Rajshahi highway.

SM Matiuzzaman Moti, general secretary of Naogaon District Motor Workers Union, said three-wheelers are banned on the highways yet they continue to ply them.

Recently tensions escalated between the two sides over the issue. Around 2:30pm, CNG drivers and owners vandalised two buses and beat the drivers and helpers.

Later, bus workers placed a bus on the road in the Ferighat area to protest the incident, resulting in clashes again between the two groups.

Shafiqul Islam, president of CNG-Owners Workers' Association, Sabaihat Branch, said the members of Naogaon Bus Owners' Association and Motor Workers' Union had been obstructing the movement of auto-rickshaws for a long time.

Yesterday, they attacked CNG owners and drivers in Ferighat leaving 15 drivers injured, he added. They also vandalised 15 auto-rickshaws.

OC Mozammel Haque Kazi of Manda Police Station said they are trying to bring the situation under control.