CNG-run auto-rickshaw drivers clashed with police in Lalpole area on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway yesterday in protest against the highway ban, leaving 15 including cops injured.
The protesters also vandalized some 20 vehicles, disrupting communications on the highway for about one-and-a-half hours.
Inspector Saleh Ahmed of Highway Mohipal police station said the auto-rickshaw drivers blockaded the highway in the area around 11am placing stones.
As the police went to bring back normalcy, the protesters had an altercation with them, said inspector Saleh, adding that at one stage, they threw brickbats at the law enforcers and broke glasses of over 25 vehicles.
Vehicular movement on the highway became normal around 12:30pm.
Feni Model police station Officer-in-Charge Mahbub Morshed said the law enforcers fired over 50 gunshots and lobbed teargas shells to take control over the situation.
Fifteen people including police members were injuring during the melee, he added.
Additional police have been deployed in the area to avert further violence. Rapid Action Battalion also strengthened patrol.