The capital’s Anandabazar, Bangabazar and Chankharpul areas turned into a battlefield Thursday as locals and traders supported by activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League clashed with a rival group of ruling party men.
Seven Chhatra League activists, students of Dhaka University, were injured by rubber bullets, and a passenger bus was set on fire and all movement on the roads in the area came to a standstill for several hours after the incident.
Fifteen policemen, who were on duty at Anandabazar during the clashes, were closed to Rajarbagh Police Lines. A probe committee headed by Additional DC Anwar Hossain of Ramna Division was formed. It has been asked to submit report within two days.
Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Maruf Hasan of Ramna Division said: “The entire force of a platoon comprising 15 members have been withdrawn for their failure to tackle the situation.”
Witnesses said the unrest broke out around 11am when armed cadres led by Meer Samir, Awami League president of ward 69, and Khayer Hossain Bachchu, its president of Phulbaria Bus Terminal area, attempted to take over Anandabazar area.
When locals and traders protested, the cadres shot at them injuring one Badal.
As Chhatra League activists tried to intervene, they were assaulted by Sameer and Bachchu’s supporters.
Eventually, they managed to drive out the cadres. Afterwards, residents and locals of Anandabazar began protesting loudly against the move to grab the land that led to an angry demonstration lead to road blocks and further unrest. A bus of Dhamrai Paribahan was burned down.
At the same time, hundreds of DU students took to the streets to protest against the attack on fellow students.
Police shot rubber bullets into the crowd, leaving several injured. Among them, three DU students were taken to DMCH.
MA Jalil, the Shahbagh OC, said the police had opened fire to tame the situation. He said the Shahbagh police were joined by law enforcers from Chawkbazar and Bangshal.
DU acting proctor Prof Amzad Ali said: “Police cannot just open fire on students like this. We are looking into the matter. Necessary action will be taken.”
The situation remained tense in and around the area. A large contingent of law enforcers was deployed to prevent further incidents.