64 injured in clash for control of bus terminal in Rangpur
At least 64 people, including four policemen, were injured in a clash between two rival groups of transport workers over control of Rangpur central bus terminal yesterday.
Witnesses said a faction of Rangpur Motor Sramik Union led by Altab Hossain captured Rangpur bus terminal at around 10:00am. Hearing the news, another faction led by former president of the organisation Solaiman Ali swooped on their rivals, leading to a violent clash between the two sides.
The clashing groups used sticks, hurled brickbats and chased each other during the clash that lasted for about three hours, leaving at least 64 people, including four policemen, injured.
They also damaged two trucks on the Rangpur-Dinajpur highway, ransacked four shops at the terminal and blocked traffic on the highway for about five hours.
Police lobbed 50 tear gas shells, charged baton on the unruly transport workers and took control of the bus terminal.
Thirty of the injured, including four policemen, were admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH) and different private clinics while the rest given first aid. The injured cops are Mominul Islam, Abdur Rahim, Almas and Amanullah.
A local Awami League leader said, “Motor Sramik Union collects about Tk 70,000 a day from the vehicles at the terminal in the name of transport workers' welfare. The group that controls the terminal gets share of the amount.”
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