Driver Assault Allegation Sparks Keraniganj Unrest

A violent confrontation broke out in Dhaka’s Keraniganj after allegations that a courier company driver was physically assaulted and tortured by employees of the firm, triggering protests by fellow drivers, vandalism at the company’s premises and clashes with police that left at least 10 people injured, including several police officers.

The incident occurred on Monday night in the Ghatarchar area, where the office of Steadfast Courier Service is located. Authorities have since deployed additional police personnel to maintain order, while an investigation is under way to determine the circumstances surrounding both the alleged assault and the subsequent violence.

According to allegations made by workers, Shah Alam, a 28-year-old driver employed by the courier company, left the firm’s premises on Monday evening with a delivery vehicle. While travelling through the Ghatarchar area, he reportedly parked the vehicle beside the road and stopped briefly to have a meal.

When he returned, the vehicle was no longer there.

The workers alleged that Shah Alam immediately went back to the company’s office and requested that officials use the vehicle’s GPS tracking system to locate it. Instead of accepting his explanation, they claim several company officials accused him of wrongdoing and subjected him to a severe physical assault.

Fellow drivers have made a series of serious allegations regarding the incident. They claim Shah Alam was beaten, one of his toenails was forcibly removed and, when he asked for water, an attempt was made to force him to drink battery acid. The allegations have not been independently verified by authorities.

Shah Alam was later taken to hospital in critical condition for medical treatment.

News of the alleged assault spread rapidly among drivers working for the courier company and other transport workers in the area. In response, more than a hundred drivers gathered in Ghatarchar, blocked the road and launched a protest demanding justice.

As tensions escalated, sections of the crowd reportedly entered the company’s premises and carried out extensive vandalism. Witnesses said windows of more than 50 company vehicles were smashed during the unrest, causing significant property damage.

The demonstrations continued into Tuesday morning, with drivers maintaining their position outside the premises and demanding the arrest and punishment of those allegedly responsible for the assault.

The protesters accused six employees of Steadfast Courier Service—identified as Russell, Mamun, Linton, Kajal, Nur Uddin and Shuvo—of involvement in the alleged abuse of Shah Alam.

They argued that every vehicle operated by the company is equipped with a GPS tracking system, making it possible to locate a missing vehicle quickly. According to the workers, rather than relying on the tracking technology to recover the vehicle, company officials chose to subject the driver to what they described as inhumane treatment.

Worker representatives Anwar and driver Rubel said the protest and work stoppage would continue until those responsible were brought to justice and appropriate legal action was taken.

The demonstrators also accused police of siding with company employees after arriving at the scene. They alleged that officers used batons and fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd during the confrontation.

Police have presented a different account of the clashes.

Officer-in-Charge Abdul Quddus of Keraniganj Model Police Station said officers responded after receiving reports of unrest and attempted to restore order. According to him, protesters began throwing bricks and stones at the police, injuring several officers, including himself, Sub-Inspector Sohag and Constable Zainal.

He said at least 10 people, including police officers, workers and bystanders, were injured during the violence.

Dhaka Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration) Arafatul Islam said discussions were being held with representatives of both the company and the protesting workers in an effort to resolve the dispute peacefully.

He added that the situation is now under control following the deployment of additional police personnel.

Police said an investigation has been launched to establish the full sequence of events, verify the allegations of assault against the driver and identify those responsible for the violence, vandalism and attacks that followed. Authorities indicated that legal action would be taken based on the findings of the inquiry.