Shonir Akhra area in Jatrabari has turned into a battlefield following clashes of police and protesters in multiple phases.
Multiple motorcycles, toll plaza booths on the adjacent Hanif Flyover and a police box have been set on fire and vandalized.
Tyres and woods could also be seen burning on Dhaka-Chittagong highway.
From Wednesday afternoon to night, the police continued to chase the students in phases.
Fire service vehicles are near the scene. However, the fire service is unable to extinguish the fire until the police take control of the place.
Till filing this report at 12:20am, the protesters were staging demonstration blocking the road.
They have occupied the highway since morning. The road is under their control from 10am to till filing the report at 12:30am.
Hundreds of protestors have taken positions from Shonir Akhara to signboards.
Six people, including a child, were shot during a violent clash between protesting students and the police in the afternoon.
The injured are- Sohag, 27, Faisal, 28, Mahim Ahmed Piyas,15, Monirul, 20, Rohid, 2, and Bablu Mia, 40.
According to locals, police have fired tear shells, and rubber bullets targeting the protesters.
Loud bangs and smoke engulfed the area which has triggered panic among the residents.
Locals have joined the protesters during clashes, according to witnesses.
They said that police have fired teargas shells, and rubber bullets targeting the protesters to disperse them.
The clashes have left many injured, added the locals.
A local resident said that since morning, the agitators have completely stopped traffic by taking position on the road.
Shops on both sides from Shonir Akhara to Rayerbazar have been closed till evening.
Jatrabari Police inspector (investigation) told reporters: “Local BNP-Jamaat people blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway using the students as shields. They were dispersed in the evening.”
He claimed that he did not know whether anyone was injured in the police firing.
Assistant Police Commissioner of Demra Zone of Dhaka Metropolitan Traffic Police Tanzil Ahmed said that the police are trying to bring the situation under control.
Tension escalated in various parts of Dhaka on Wednesday as 55 individuals, including journalists, police officers, students, and bystanders, were injured and rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment amidst protests demanding quota reform.