Police lobbed tear shells and fired rubber bullets to quell the violence by agitating jute workers for their 18 weeks' arrears salary and wages, sources said.

According to police and eye witnesses, the law enforcers swung into action when workers hurled stones and brickbats.

The workers launched agitation yesterday for dues and in demand for removal of 'corrupt' officials of eight state-owned jute mills in Khulna-Jessore industrial belts.

The injured policemen include Assistant Police Commissioner Humayun Kabir of KMP.

The situation may deteriorate as workers are yet to release some policemen allegedly held hostage at two spots at Khalishpur, police said yesterday evening.