The incident took place at an auto-rickshaw stand near Bandar ferry terminal, where the dispute reportedly began over the right to pick up passengers. The confrontation escalated from an argument into a clash involving chasing and counter-chasing, leaving several drivers injured.
The injured have been identified as Md Junaed, 25, Shahidul Islam Shahin, 40, Sagar, 30, Pappu, 30, Nazmul, 22, Lincoln, 33, Md Billal Hossain, 23, Siam, 19, Azim, 35, Rubel, 48, Ali, 45, Sohag, 25, and Yasin, 28. A woman named Maksuda, 35, was also among those reported injured.
According to eyewitnesses and auto-rickshaw drivers, drivers operating on the Bandar–Nabiganj route were picking up passengers near the ferry terminal on Monday morning. At that point, several drivers from the opposing group, allegedly led by a local man named Ajit, arrived and prevented them from collecting passengers from the stand.
The disagreement over the use of the stand led to a heated exchange between the two groups. The argument subsequently escalated into a physical confrontation, during which drivers were reportedly assaulted.
Md Junaed, one of the injured drivers, said they had been picking up passengers at the ferry terminal in accordance with what they considered the established arrangements. He alleged that several people approached them and ordered them to stop. When they continued collecting passengers despite the objections, the other group attacked and beat them.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and the precise circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain unclear. Further investigation will be needed to establish the respective roles of those involved and determine the underlying cause of the dispute.
Following the incident, battery-powered auto-rickshaw services on the Bandar–Nabiganj and Bandar–Chowdhurybari routes were suspended. The disruption left commuters facing difficulties as they attempted to reach their destinations. The two routes serve local passengers, and the suspension has added to the immediate impact of the dispute beyond the drivers directly involved.
The incident also highlights how disagreements over passenger collection points can disrupt local transport services and lead to confrontations between operators. When competing groups dispute access to a stand, commuters may be left without their usual transport options until normal operations resume.
The affected drivers have lodged a written complaint with Bandar Police Station, seeking action over the incident.
Jamal Uddin, officer-in-charge of Bandar Police Station, said police went to the scene after receiving information about the clash and brought the situation under control. He confirmed that the auto-rickshaw drivers had submitted a written complaint and said the matter was being treated seriously.
According to the officer, police are attempting to resolve the dispute through discussions involving both groups. Officers have also been deployed at the scene to maintain order and prevent further trouble.
No further details were immediately available regarding the medical condition of the injured, any arrests, or when auto-rickshaw services on the affected routes would resume. The outcome of the police response and efforts to settle the dispute is expected to determine whether transport operations can return to normal without further confrontation.
