In a wave of intense clashes across Bangladesh, protests organized by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement turned violent in multiple cities yesterday, leaving one dead and scores injured, including several police officers.
The protests, sparked by demands for justice and the implementation of a nine-point agenda, saw students and residents taking to the streets in cities such as Sylhet, Chittagong, Comilla, Faridpur, Bogra, Gazipur, Tangail, Rajshahi and Naogaon,
The demonstrations quickly escalated into confrontations with law enforcement and members of the Chhatra League, leading to widespread unrest and at least 60 injuries.
In Gazipur, the situation turned deadly when protesters clashed with police, leading to the death of businessman Jahangir Alam and injuries to at least 15 others.
Protesters blocked roads, set fire to police vehicles, and vandalized several businesses, prompting police to fire rubber bullets and tear gas to regain control. Jahangir Alam, who was caught in the crossfire while returning from a local market, was killed during the clashes.
Bogra saw prolonged and intense confrontations between protesters and police at the city's Zero Point in Satmatha.
For over three and a half hours, protesters occupied the area, engaging in violent clashes with the police, who responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and sound grenades.
Protesters retaliated by hurling bricks, shoes, and sandals at the police. They also vandalized public property, by tearing down banners of Awami League leaders, setting fire to a police box, and defacing murals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
They also uprooted road dividers, destroyed ornamental plants, and set fires across different establishments of the city.
In Sylhet, the Jindabazar-Chowhatta area turned into a battleground as police fired tear gas at protesters who responded by hurling bricks. The violence spread to neighboring areas, including Ambarkhana. Sylhet Metropolitan Police reported that they were on high alert to prevent further vandalism.
In Faridpur, at least 15 people were injured during a protest march initiated by students of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College.
The march, which was later joined by students from other institutions, led to clashes with police near the Goalachamot Model Mosque area. Police used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the crowd, as tensions soared.
In Chittagong, the residence of Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, located in Chashma Hill, came under attack in the evening.
The incident occurred when participants of an anti-discrimination student movement reached 2 No gate area of the city.
A group then moved towards the Mayor’s Gali area, where they hurled bricks at the minister’s residence, damaging windows on the second floor. The attackers subsequently broke open the gate, entered the premises, and vandalized two cars parked below. No other injuries were reported.
Comilla also witnessed severe violence, where at least 10 people were injured, including two who were shot during a clash between protesting students and Chhatra League members.
The clash took place in front of the city’s Police Line intersection, with students blaming the Chhatra League for the violence. The injured were rushed to Comilla Medical College Hospital.
In Naogaon, clashes between protesters and Awami League activists resulted in 13 injuries. Students from various institutions blocked a road in the city, demanding justice for the murder, abuse, and mass arrest of quota reform activists.
In Rajshahi, despite heavy rain, around 2,000 people, including teachers and students, blocked the Dhaka-Rajshahi Highway. The protest, which ended near the Rajshahi University (RU) main gate, saw the vandalization of two police boxes. During the clash, a police officer and a coordinator of the movement were severely injured. The Rajshahi Awami League office was also vandalized and set on fire during the protests.
Tangail saw a similar scene, with protesters clashing with Chhatra League members as they pressed their nine-point demand. Police intervened by firing tear gas shells, leading to injuries on both sides. The Dhaka-Tangail-Bangabandhu Bridge highway was blocked for hours by protesters.
Our correspondents Raihanul Islam Akand, Nazmul Huda Nasim, Serajul Islam, Rashedul Hasan, Pimple Barua, Mahasin Kabir, Abdur Rouf Pavel, Dulal Abdullah, and Abdullah Al Numan contributed to this report.