3 cases filed over transport workers, SCC, police clash

Three cases were filed in connection with the clash among transport workers, police and Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) workers on Wednesday, following an attempt to evict an illegal vehicle stand at Chowhatta-Amberkhana road in the city.

Among the cases filed with Kotwali Police Station on the same night, two were filed by police while another by SCC, said  SM Abu Farhad, officer-in-charge of the police station.

One case was filed under Arms Act by SI Mostafizur Rahman against Foysol Ahmed Fahad, the Liberation War affairs secretary of Swechchhasebak League's Sylhet city unit, who was detained with firearms from the spot.

SI Abdul Mannan filed another case against 17 named and 100-150 unnamed transport workers for attacking and assaulting police during the lawful eviction drive, said the OC.

In the case filed by SCC, the city corporation's Sub-assistant Engineer Debabrata Das accused 10 named and 100-150 unnamed persons for barring SSC officials and workers from discharging duties.

OC Farhad said, "Only one person was detained from the spot with firearms. We are conducting drives to arrest the other accused."

TRANSPORT STRIKE FROM MONDAY

Meanwhile, in protest against the drive that resulted in clash, transport workers called an indefinite strike in Sylher district from 6am on Monday.

Moynul Islam, president of Sylhet Zilla Paribahan Sramik Union, called the strike after a meeting on Wednesday night.

On Wednesday afternoon, Sylhe city's Chowhatta and Dargah Gate areas witnessed violence for an hour, as transport workers clashed with police and SCC workers, following an attempt to evict an illegal vehicle stand.

Following the clash that started at around 1pm, transport workers barricaded Dhaka-Sylhet and Sylhet-Sunamganj highways for hours. The barricades were removed around 4:30pm.