A student has been killed while several others were injured in a clash among police, Awami League activists, and protesters demanding quota reform in Dhanmondi.
The deceased was Farhanul Islam Bhuyian, an eleventh-grade student at Residential Model College.
Intermittent clashes have been ongoing in the Dhanmondi 27 area since morning.
Farhan died at City Hospital in the Mohammadpur area around 2:30pm. Two other college students are admitted to the ICU while 25 others received medical treatment.
“The reason for the death is a piercing wound in the centre of the chest,” said Dr Fuad, emergency in-charge at City Hospital.
He said: "Today we have received multiple similar kinds of injuries that are being treated now. Many female patients got injured by blunt weapons. We have received a 10-year-old patient who had 12 pellets inside the body.”
A female student of Dhaka City College requesting anonymity said: “I was attacked by a 50-year-old with sticks. He hit my hand and waist for 10-15 times. Then we waited 3 hours to reach the hospital.” The student was waiting at the recovery room with a sling on her left hand.
The assistant manager of City Hospital said that so far at least 200 people have come to their hospital for treatment. Most of them are students. The injured are still coming to the hospital for treatment.
A student of Imperial College claimed that around 11:30am in the morning, when the students blocked Dhanmondi 27 intersection, the police obstructed them. The police then fired tear shells to disperse the students.
At that time, almost 100 men with sharp weapons chased the students. Later, the students started chasing each other with the police and attackers.
The capital’s Dhanmondi 27 road has turned into a battlezone after clashes were reported between alleged Chhatra League members and quota reform protesters.
College and school students, comprising the majority of the protesters, have scattered to nearby areas seeking refuge.
Meanwhile, police have responded by firing tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.
There are reports of gunfire coming from near Dhanmondi City Hospital to Dhanmondi 27 intersection.
