A Barisal City Corporation (BCC) attempt to remove some 20 makeshift shops encroaching on footpaths along a 150-feet stretch of Nabagram Road was cut short yesterday after tension escalated following protests by rowdy youths.

Jahangir Hossain, a BCC road inspector who led the drive with some eight officials and workers around noon, said the clearance, coming a day after the shopkeepers were verbally asked to take down the structures, was based on an application by over 35 of the locals.

The locals, seeking anonymity, accused men of the pro-Awami League student organisation Bangladesh Chhatra League of renting out some of the shops from where drug peddling was ongoing.

This was denied by BCL Barisal city unit President Jasimuddin. Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shakhawat Hossain could not ascertain the involvement.

Some 12 shops have been removed while owners of the rest were asked to take the remaining down within the next couple of days, said Jahangir.