3 injured as motorcyclists attack Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge toll plaza officers

At least three people have been injured after a group of young men have attacked toll plaza officers of the “Seventh Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge” over the Arial Kha River in Madaripur after they asked them to pay a toll for their motorcycles.

The incident took place around 7pm on Saturday in the Pakhira area in the Sadar Upazila, said Madaripur Sadar Police Station chief (OC) Adil Hossain.

The injured were identified as toll plaza workers Shahjahan Bepari, Md Yusuf and Ripon Goura.

Police and locals say that some young men crossed the bridge on motorcycles in the evening. The toll collectors asked them to pay tolls. An argument broke out between the two parties over the toll payment and the men on motorcycles attacked the office of the toll collection contractor with makeshift weapons and vandalised it. Three staff members were injured as well.

Police went to the scene and brought the situation under control.

Enamul Haque, accounting officer of the toll plaza, said: "The entire incident has been recorded by our CCTV footage. We have reported it to the police station.”

"We are preparing to file a complaint with the police station after confirming the identity of the attackers."

OC Adil Hossain said that police were sent to the scene after the attack was reported. He said that legal action will be taken if the bridge toll authority files a written complaint.