Staff Reporter :
Motijheel become battlefield on Thursday when clash broke out between the police and the protesters over the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s
visit to Bangladesh on March 26, 27.
Several protesters, the New Age proto-journalist Abdullah Apu, and few policemen, including Paltan Thana police Officer-in-Charge Abu Bakar Siddique, were injured that took place at about 11:30am.
Bangladesh Students’ Rights Council led by Nurul Haque Nur, former vice-president of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), brought out a procession protesting the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh.
The eyewitness and police said that the police obstructed the procession when it started from Bijoynagar and wanted to go towards Muktangan around 11:30am. From there the procession went to Shapla Chattar in Motijheel and burned an effigy of Modi around 12pm which created the unrest.
During this time, there was a chase and counter-chase between the police and the the Bangladesh Students’ Rights Council. Police also fired lobbed tear gas and rubber bullets when protestors hurled brick-bats on them, they said.
Later, when the protesters wanted to march towards Shapla Chattar in Motijheel with the procession, another chase ensued with the police. Protesters torched a roadside furniture used by hawkers for selling their products.
After several gunshots, the police started detaining people. More than 30 people were picked up, including an Islamic preacher named Rafikul Islam Madani hailed from Netrakona, from the spot.
Vehicular movement at Bijoynagar, Paltan Crossing, Shapla Chattar and Dainik Bangla Crossing was brought to a halt for an hour from 12:30 pm due to the clash.
The leader and activists of the Bangladesh Students’ Rights Council’s claimed that they were holding a peaceful procession. Without any provocation, the police charged us with sticks, beat us and used rubber bullets. Police arrested 35 to 40 members of their organization from the scene.
They also claimed that 40 to 50 members of their organization including Nurul Haque Nur, were injured in the beating. Some of them have been admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment. The rest are being treated in other hospitals.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s (DMP) Deputy Commissioner of Motijheel Division Syed Nurul Islam told The New Nation that a total of 33 people had been detained since the protest.
Though Rafiqul Islam Madani is also among them, but he was released later. A case will be filed against the detainees after screening and verification, he said.
The DC (police) added that seven policemen were injured in an attack by protesters. Among them, AC (Patrol) Motijheel, Paltan Police Station OC, an SI and a constable have been admitted to Central Police Hospital. The other three-ADC Khilgaon, Petrol Inspector and a constable-have taken first aid.
Referring to the attack on the police led by Nurul Haque, the DC Nurul Islam said, “The protest led by Nur was an attack on the police. We are looking for him. He will be prosecuted in the case if responsible.”
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Students’ Rights Council will demand the release of those who were picked up during a protest on Thursday.
They will bring out a procession tomorrow if those, who were detained today during a protest in Motijheel, are not released in time, Nurul Haque Nur announced it during a Facebook live after the clash.
He said the protest will be held at 3pm at Shahbagh intersection in the capital.
Earlier, at least 25 persons were injured during an attack on an protest rally on the Dhaka University campus on Tuesday.
Chhatra League reportedly carried out the attack on the protesters of left-leaning bodies, and a photojournalist, who brought out a rally protesting Narendra Modi’s visit.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive on Friday morning on a two-day state visit to attend the twin mega celebrations, marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of Bangladesh’s Independence.
