Dhaka Metropolitan Police ‘closed’ a platoon of policemen in connection with the violence that took place in Gulistan and Chankharpool areas of the capital on Thursday which left seven Dhaka University students injured.
Deputy Commissioner of Ramna zone, Sheikh Maruf Hasan, said the 15 policemen were closed to Rajarbagh Police Lines over failing to tackle the violence in the area.
A closing order prohibits a policeman from carrying out further responsibilities without further instructions.
Earlier in the day, repeated clashes broke out between supporters of local Awami League, Sramik League, Dhaka University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League and police.
A probe committee formed into the matter, led by additional deputy commissioner Maruf Hasan, has been asked to investigate and submit report within two working days, DC Maruf Hasain said.
Supporters of local Awami League and Sramik League assaulted some Dhaka University Chhatra League activists in the area while trying to occupy Anandabazar market.
Awami League activists opened fire in the area and one local businessman Badal was shot in the leg.
A while later, over a hundred Dhaka University Chhatra League activists arrived in the area and engaged in agitation.
A Dhamrai Paribahan bus was set on fire.
At one point, police fired rubber bullets into the rowdy crowd.
Shahbagh police station Officer-in-charge, MA Jalil, said the rubber bullets were fired to free the area of troublemakers.
“Additional law enforcement has been made through the area.”
On the other hand, Dhaka University acting proctor Amzad Ali condemned the police action on students. “Police cannot fire upon students like that.”
The acting proctor visited the injured students attending treatments at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.
The injured were: Sohagh and Manud, from botany department, Sumon, Rashed, Shibli and Ishaq, from applied chemistry, and Sajib from the department of applied statistics.
The Chankharpool road leading to Gulistan was seen closed with fires burning in the area around evening.
