At least 30 people, including Hasnat Abdullah, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, were injured in the clash between students and members of Ansar in the capital’s secretariat. Later, army personnel reached the spot and brought the situation under control.
This incident happened on Sunday (August 25) at 9:20 PM. Many of the injured, including Hasnat Abdullah, are receiving treatment at the Dhaka Medical College (DMH) Hospital. DMK Hospital police outpost in-charge Bachchu Mia confirmed the matter.
Eyewitnesses said that around 9:30 pm, the students came in front of the secretariat and started a chase between the two sides. In the first phase of the conflict, both sides engaged in chasing and throwing bricks. At one point the students alleged that Ansar members fired several rounds. At least 30 people from both sides including Hasnat Abdullah were injured.
Earlier, a group of members of Ansar detained many people, including coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement and advisor to the interim government, Nahid Islam, coordinators Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah. In view of such news, students from different halls of Dhaka University gathered at Raju Bhaskar of TSC. Thousands of students can be seen running towards the secretariat with batons in hand. There are reports of occasional clashes between students in front of Shiksha Bhawan and Ansars in front of Food Bhawan.
Dhaka Medical College Hospital Police Camp Incharge (Inspector) Md. Bachchu Mia said that the injured started coming to the hospital from 9:30 in the night. So far 30 students have come to the hospital with injuries. Most of them have head injuries. They are undergoing treatment in the emergency department.
Ansar members were protesting in front of the secretariat demanding nationalization of jobs since this morning. At one point in the afternoon, some protesting Ansar members entered the secretariat. They ignored the law and order forces and entered through gate number three.