Traffic came to a halt on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Gazipur on Wednesday morning following clashes between protesting workers and police in the Signboard area under Gachha Police Station.

The clashes broke out around 9:30AM after workers took to the highway and staged demonstrations, disrupting vehicular movement. When law enforcement personnel arrived at the scene, workers allegedly hurled brickbats at them, prompting police to fire tear gas shells and sound grenades to disperse the protesters.

The two sides were also involved in a series of chases and counter-chases, further escalating tensions in the area.

Gazipur Industrial Police Superintendent Mohammad Amzad Hossain said the situation had remained normal since morning until around 9:30AM, when 2,000 to 4,000 workers gathered on the road in the Gachha area.

He said police later dispersed the workers by firing tear gas shells.

The police official also said workers had gathered in the Joydebpur area around 8:30AM but were subsequently dispersed.

The situation remained normal in Salna, Rajendrapur, Shafipur and Palli Bidyut areas, while some tension persisted in Kashimpur, where law enforcement agencies remained on alert, he added.