At least 15 people, including three police constables, were injured after police opened fire during a clash between a group of CNG-run auto rickshaw drivers and highway police at Dohazari area under Satkania upazila in Chittagong yesterday noon.

The clash began when the drivers surrounded the Dohazari Highway Police Station in protest of the seizure of two CNG-run auto rickshaws, said police and local sources.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Md Farhad of Highway Police (Chittagong zone) told The Daily Star that police launched a drive against CNG-run auto rickshaws yesterday following a High Court ban on the three-wheelers on highways across the country. They seized two auto-rickshaws and took those to the police station.

“After a few minutes, around 200 people on 50 to 60 CNG-run auto rickshaws came to the police station and started hurling brickbats after blocking off the station,” the ASP said. He also claimed that at one point a driver named Shahidul Islam snatched a gun from a police constable and tried to flee.

Later, police opened fired shots in the air and charged batons to bring the situation under control and held Shahidul with the firearms. Farhad said three police constables were injured during the melee.

None of the protestors could be reached for any comments.

The constables-- Rubel, Mobarak and Saleh Nur-- were admitted to hospital, said the ASP.

A case was lodged in this connection.