12 people injured in attack by auto-rickshaw drivers in N’ganj

Auto-rickshaw drivers launched an attack on the Narayanganj City Corporation building, leaving at least eight people, including city corporation staff, injured.

The attackers blockaded the city building for around one and a half hours. The incident took place on Monday (May 12) afternoon at the Nagar Bhaban (City Building).

During the attack, the assailants entered the building with local weapons and carried out extensive vandalism. When the city corporation staff tried to intervene, they too were attacked. The auto-rickshaw drivers beat and hacked them, causing serious injuries.

Those severely injured include: Samrat Islam (Supervisor, City Corporation), Shawon (Traffic Congestion Control Staff), Liton and Palash.

Earlier, as part of the "Green and Clean Narayanganj" initiative and to reduce traffic congestion, the district administration and city corporation imposed restrictions on auto-rickshaw movement in the main city areas. Unauthorized auto-rickshaws were barred from entering the city through its gateways.

Auto-rickshaw drivers had been protesting for unrestricted access to the city for the past few months. Previously, they had organized road blockades and surrounded the city building in similar demonstrations. Monday’s attack occurred during such a protest in front of the city building. At one point, the protesters stormed the building with local weapons.

Students injured in the attack stated they were holding a peaceful human chain to voice various demands and that city corporation staff were supporting them. Suddenly, the auto-rickshaw drivers launched a brutal assault, beating people indiscriminately. 

They further reported that the attackers carried sharp weapons, which made the situation even more frightening. 

City Corporation officials said that in the past, there had been numerous complaints against auto-rickshaw drivers for passenger harassment, overcharging, and creating chaos on the roads. Today’s heinous attack has sparked outrage among the general public and city corporation staff.

Narayanganj City Corporation's Chief Executive Zakir Hossain stated that the attack was carried out without any provocation. The assailants launched a terror-style assault with local weapons, causing serious injuries to staff members and student representatives.