A police vehicle was torched and a patrol vehicle of Mohammadpur Police Station was vandalised during the clash. Dozens of small shops were also damaged.

Police and witnesses said several hundred residents of the camp occupied the street near the college gate area around noon demanding uninterrupted power supply.

They later put up barricades, halting vehicular movement from college gate towards Tajmahal Road.

Local Ward Councilor Habibur Rahman Mijan tried to persuade the camp residents to end their protest but the Biharis attacked him and his supporters. The two sides fought pitched battles.

Police went to the spot around 1:30pm and were immediately attacked by the camp residents.

“The law enforcers were forced to lob teargas canisters, fire rubber bullets and charge batons during the clash that left 15-20 policemen injured,” Deputy Commissioner (Tejgaon Division) Anisur Rahman told UNB.

A police vehicle was set afire and several other vehicles, including one belonging to Mohammadpur Police Station, were vandalised, he said.

Replying to a question, he said Tk 31 crore electricity bill has remained unpaid in the camp and now Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd has been supplying electricity on rationing system.

“Six people were arrested from the spot for attacking police,” he said, adding that the situation was brought under control after 4pm.