The employees and workers observed a half-day hartal here yesterday as part of their protest programmes.

"When the jute mill staff tried to block roads to disrupt traffic, police charged baton and fired teargas shells to disperse them," witnesses said.

Thirty-two of the injured were admitted to Qawmi Jute Mill Hospital and clinics in the town while others released after first aid. The president and the secretary of the mill trade union were also injured in the incident.

Sources said the employees of the mill were not paid their salaries and other dues for the last 27 weeks, and they declared the hartal programme last month to realise their arrears.

First, the workers tried stage a sit-in at Qawmi crossing on the western side of the Jamuna Bridge, but as armed police were deployed in the area to foil their protest, they changed their venue. When they marched towards Jhaoil area, police lobbed teargas and charged baton.

The workers also hurled brick chips at the policemen.

During the clash, vehicular movement on both sides of the road remained suspended for 15 minutes during the clash.