The unidentified foreign national whom the traffic division deputy commissioner (North) refereed to as a US citizen CollectedThe Dhaka Tribune reached out to the Facebook user and the police. The foreigner was identified as one Daniel Norton, a US citizen working with a number non-profits in Dhaka.
DMP Traffic Division Deputy Commissioner (North) Probir Kumar told the Dhaka Tribune that the video did not show the entirety of the event which had transpired and lacked veracity.
He said the foreign national in question was a US citizen, whose name he claimed to not know.
DC Probir claimed the rickshaw van was halted and its wheels clamped because it was in violation of a localised regulation which prevents rickshaws and rickshaw vans from passing through certain parts of Gulshan and Baridhara.
The traffic police whose altercation with the foreign national has caused the video to spread rapidly on social media CollectedHe said: “He [the foreigner] was using the rickshaw van to carry supplies to a local school. However, it was in violation of a traffic regulation imposed on the area and we had to wreck [place wheel clamps on] the van.
“The fine was Tk1200, which bystanders and the viewers of the video mistook as demanding a bribe. It is nothing but a simple misunderstanding,” he continued.
DC Probir also said a traffic sergeant had intervened to settle the matter as the constable’s language barrier was impeding the discussion. DC Probir claimed the traffic sergeant had waived the fines, after which the US citizen asked what he should do given he uses the rickshaw van to frequently haul school supplies.
The traffic sergeant asked the foreigner to write an application to the deputy commissioner to ask for an exemption, said DC Probir.
A witness, asking not to be named, told the Dhaka Tribune that shouts could be heard just outside The Westin Dhaka.
The witness claimed Daniel had a yellow-coloured diplomatic license plate on his car.
According to the witness, the police had stopped the rickshaw van carrying supplies and were demanding Tk1200. When Daniel had asked why, the police claimed it was a fine.Also Read- Bribe-frustrated US citizen lashed out at Gulshan traffic police
The witness also claimed to have left the scene while Daniel was still having it out with the traffic police.
