Witnesses said the clash erupted at 3:30pm when the DCC men started demolishing the footpath kiosks in front of the two popular markets with the help of policemen.

Hundreds of footpath hawkers and traders attacked police and DCC officials during the drive.

"Police fired about a dozen teargas shells to disperse the demonstrators, who pelted brickbats amid chase and counter chase," says a witness.

Some 50 people, including pedestrians and shoppers, were injured during the clashes.

The agitated hawkers ransacked about 12 vehicles, including private cars, during the rampage.

Panicked by the clash, pedestrians and shoppers ran helter-skelter during the clash disrupting vehicular movement from Nilkhet to Science Laboratory for about an hour.

Local traders Nur-e-Alam, Nannu Miah and Shahin Mustak said the DCC started the eviction drive without giving them prior notice.

They said police damaged and took away valuables, including garments, imitations and cosmetics, worth Tk 3 crore.

Police have been deployed in the troubled area.