SIRAJGANJ, Dec 31: At least 50 people were injured as traders of local markets and toll collectors locked in a clash in the district town on Wednesday night.

During the clash, angry people damaged and looted 10 shopping centres. Selling and buying were also suspended for about five hours on the night before Eid-ul-Fitr. Because of this, locals alleged, Eid shoppers could not buy their Eid gifts for their near and dear ones.

Police and witnesses said that Masud, a businessman, accompanied by JCD leader Abu Syed of Fazal Biponi Kendro, a shopping arcade here, at SS road, came to Nur Market to realise last years's pending 'toll' of Tk 14,000 from a seller of the market, but they were beaten up by the shopkeepers.

Equipped with lethal weapons like hockey stick, the salesmen of the local markets, locked in fierce clash which left 30 injured. SP and other high police officials of the district rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control.

However, the extortionists left the place while the agitating sellers brought out a procession chanting slogans demanding immediate

arrest of the miscreants. They also paraded the main roads in the town.

All the markets and shopping centres in the town remained closed. The common people as well as the buyers were panicked as the situation went out of control.

Meanwhile, political leaders under BNP rival groups and ruling party Awami League rushed to the spot, discussed with the business association leaders at Fazal Biponi Kendro. After long discussion, they decided to resume businesses activities in the shopping centres at 12 midnight for the sake of public interest. But the panic-stricken buyers left the market place as soon as the clash ensued.

After the Eid-ul-Fitr 'namaj' (prayer) at the Railway Colony Eidgah, another clash took place between the devotees and agitating persons over collection of money for cleaning the Eidgah field. Some 20 people were injured, two of them seriously. The critically wounded were admitted to local clinics while the rest were released after first aid.

A case was filed with Sirajganj Sadar thana.