50 hurt in clash in Manikganj

MANIKGANJ, Sept 16(UNB) : At least 50 people were injured as police fired rubber bullets and tear gas shells to disperse a crowd demonstrating for gas connection in the district town Tuesday.

Police and witnesses said thousands of people, including women, converged on Bijoy Mela ground in the town from 10 am to lay siege to Makinganj Titas Gas office demanding gas connection.

The clash occurred when police obstructed a stick-procession brought out by the local people in their bid to cordon off the Titas Gas office.

At one stage, police charged batons on the crowd and also fired rubber bullets and tear gas shells to disperse them, injuring 50 people, including Manikganj Municipality mayor Ramjan Ali and a local journalist.

Later, the demonstrators blocked the Dhaka-Aricha Highway, halting traffic movements.