Police clashed with leaders and activists in front of the National Press Club in the capital over the Chhatra Dal program. Police used batons and tear gas to disperse the leaders and activists.
Leaders and activists fired brickbats at the police. The clash started around 11:15 am on Sunday. According to eyewitnesses, Chhatra Dal and BNP leaders and activists started gathering in the Press Club area around 10 am.
They took to the streets around 11:15 am when the police stopped them. At one point, the police started beating him. Leaders and activists were dispersed by the police. Then the leaders and activists started throwing brickbats at the police. Vandalized the neighborhood.
Police fired tear gas and tear gas to disperse them. Leaders and activists beat anyone they find in front of them. The Central Chhatra Dal called a protest rally in protest of the death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed in custody and the decision to revoke the title of former President Ziaur Rahman in a case under the Digital Security Act. The rally was to be held in front of the National Press Club.
But before the start of the rally, the rally was thwarted by clashes between Chhatra Dal and BNP leaders and activists. According to the earlier announcement, Chhatra Dal leaders and activists of different levels started gathering at the National Press Club and its adjoining areas around 10 am on Sunday. After 11 am, a section of leaders and activists tried to get out of the press club.
The police stopped them. At one stage, some leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal came out and sat on the road. At that time the police beat them up and handed them over. After that, the Chhatra Dal and BNP leaders and activists present in the area became agitated. Several people were injured in the chases and clashes. Among them are Chhatra Dal-BNP leaders and activists, police and journalists. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was supposed to attend the rally.
Besides, Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP president Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohail was present at the spot. Leaders of Chhatra Dal including Central Committee President Fazlur Rahman, General Secretary Iqbal Hossain, Dhaka South General Secretary MA Gaffar and other leaders and workers of the organization were present. Anisur Rahman Khandaker Anik, leader of Chhatra Dal's Dhaka University branch, protested against the death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed and repeal of Digital Security Act. The students had a protest rally in front of the National Press Club to protest the decision to cancel Ziaur Rahman's title.
About 500 leaders and activists gathered inside the National Press Club to observe the program. After 11 am they tried to get out under the leadership of Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohail. Then the police tried to get them inside. As soon as the leaders and activists came out, the police started beating them recklessly. Then tear gas shells and bullets were fired. Many BNP-Chhatra Dal members were injured. They have been sent to different hospitals including Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Among the injured were Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP president Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Chhatra Dal central vice-president Mamun Khan, Chhatra Dal joint secretary Karim Pradhan and Eden College senior joint convener Jannat Jahan. However, police said the Chhatra Dal was not allowed to hold a rally. Anyone can perform inside the National Press Club without permission.
But the rally cannot be held on the important road in front of the National Press Club without permission. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Ramna Zone DC Sajjadur Rahman said the students did not take any permission to hold a rally here. They attacked the police on the road with 400 to 500 workers from inside the press club without permission.
He was killed by throwing brickbats from inside the press club. Seven to eight policemen were injured in the incident.
He also said that some people were taken into custody. Sajjadur Rahman claimed that the attack was pre-planned. He said there are not so many bricks inside the press club. How come so many bricks? Legal action will be taken in this regard.
