Transport workers blockade Rokeya Sarani

Police said the transport owners and workers of buses plying on Pallabi-Gulistan route tried to blockade the road at around 11:00am as sergeant Iqbal filed cases against some buses for violating traffic rules.

However, the transport owners alleged that they took to the street as the sergeant was filing cases against those who were not giving him bribe.

Locals said the angry transport owners and workers also assaulted the sergeant who escaped the wrath of the transport workers by driving away his motorbike. However, Assistant Commissioner (Traffic) of Mirpur Zone of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Fazlur Rob denied that the sergeant was assaulted.

"The sergeant was filing cases against the buses violating traffic rules and not having proper documents which might have angered the transport workers," Rob told The Daily Star. He said cases were filed against around 20 vehicles in the area.

ASM Ahmed Khokon, treasurer of Dhaka Sarak Paribahan Samity, however said the sergeant was forcing drivers to bribe him though they had all documents and licenses.

He said at one stage the transport workers got angry, beat him and blocaded the road.

Transport workers said they withdrew the blockade after senior police officials assured them that the sergeant would be withdrawn from the area.