Bonikbarta Exclusive

There have been incidents of clashes again on Friday (August 2) between students and local people with the police in various places across the country. It has been confirmed that a police officer in Khulna and a young man in Habiganj have died in these clashes. Over a hundred people have been injured in the clashes. In different locations, including Uttara of the capital, members and supporters of Chhatra League, Jubo League, and affiliates of Awami League have been seen attacking protesters with weapons.

In Khulna, the police and BGB repeatedly chased and clashed with the anti-discrimination protesting students. A police constable was killed in the clash. The deceased's name is Suman Kumar Gharami. On Friday, from 3.30 pm to 7.30 pm, the two-kilometer area from Gallamari to Zero Point of the city turned into a battlefield in a long 4-hour clash between the two sides. During this time, students and police were injured.

Employees of Khulna Medical College Hospital's emergency department said that the injured patients kept coming to the hospital since afternoon. Sirajul Islam (60), Shahriar Nirob (24), Abir (24), Mizan (48), Faiyas (23), Robina (32), Nabil (24), Mizan (32), Sourav ( 23), Sheikh Taniq (22), Mitu (21), Tania (19), Rabeya Sultana (23) were admitted to the hospital. Besides, some others have taken first aid personally.

Doctors report that many of the injured have gunshot wounds. Among them, a person named Sirajul Islam arrived at the hospital with a rubber bullet lodged in his head. Emergency treatment successfully removed the bullet from his body. At least seven to eight individuals have gunshot wounds in their bodies. Others have been injured by tear gas shells, rubber bullets, and brickbats.

Meanwhile, during the clashes, the police deployed rubber bullets, sound grenades, and tear gas shells extensively. At one point, agitated students set fire to a police vehicle in the Gallamari area of the city.

According to police and various sources, during the ongoing quota reform movement, protesters gathered near Shibbari Mor in the city around 2 pm on Friday (August 2). Around 3 am, students marched around New Market, passing in front of the KDA Mosque and reaching Gallamari. From Zero Point, the police targeted the procession with tear gas shells.

During this time, clashes occurred between students and the police, involving stone-pelting and brickbats. Local residents were seen joining students during this time. As a large number of protesters advanced with a procession, the police responded by falling back. Later, they took a position at Zero Point.

There was ongoing conflict until 7 pm on Friday (August 2) evening in the Kacha Bazar area of EM Bari Road in the city. Additionally, some students have positioned themselves in front of Khulna University. They are surrounded by police and are equipped with vehicles.

At 7 pm on Friday (August 2) evening, students of Khulna University announced through a microphone, "Several students are trapped in the Sonadanga Bus Terminal area. Please rescue them and bring them safely to the campus." Additionally, it has been reported that several Khulna University students are held in a gunshot condition at the campus.

Confirming the death of a police constable in the conflict, Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Commissioner Md. Mozammel Haque said, "During the clash, one police constable has been killed. Additionally, 20-25 police personnel have been injured."

KMP's Deputy Commissioner Tajul Islam said, "When they attempted to disperse the students, they attacked the police. In the clash, Police Constable Sumon was killed. The police used tear gas for their own safety."

In Habiganj, amidst clashes between police and Chhatra League with students and locals, a youth named Mostak Ahmed (26) has been killed by gunshot wounds. The Superintendent of Habiganj Sadar Hospital, Aminul Haque Sarkar, confirmed, "On Friday afternoon, after bringing him to the hospital, the youth was declared dead. He had gunshot wounds on his chest and back."

Mostak Ahmed, who was killed, initially worked as a lineman under the Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB), and his home is reported to be in the Tukerbazar area of Sylhet.

Earlier, clashes began around 3 PM in the Tin Kona Pukurpar area of Habiganj town. At this time, the gate of the residence of Abu Jahir, Member of Parliament for Habiganj-3 constituency and President of the district Awami League, was vandalized, and ten motorcycles were set on fire. The fire was also set at the Awami League office in the district.

Later, when the police arrived there, they clashed with the students who were throwing stones at them. Eyewitnesses claimed that the situation was under control as the police fired rubber bullets and tear gas rounds multiple times.

Regarding this incident, Habiganj's additional police superintendent (Sadar Circle), Mohammad Khalilur Rahman, said, "Leaders and activists of BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal were targeting the police with projectiles during the student protest. This escalated the conflict. To control the situation, the police deployed multiple rounds of rubber bullets and tear gas."

In Habiganj Sadar Hospital, the chief medical officer Aminul Haq said, "During the clash, Mostak Ahmed went to town to buy shoes. I heard he was shot."

In Sylhet, the police have obstructed the 'Gonomichil' program of the anti-discrimination student movement. There have been clashes between the police and students. Over a hundred people, including journalists and police officers, were injured. The incident occurred after Friday prayers. In Sylhet, the police have arrested seven protesters. Meanwhile, clashes intermittently continued in the vicinity of various universities in Sylhet until 6 pm on Friday (August 2).

The agitating students said that there was a pre-announced program of students titled 'Prayer and mass march of students' in mosques across the country after Friday prayers and visiting graves, temples, and churches. As part of this, the students tried to take position at the main gate of SUST around 3.30 pm. However, they could not take a position there in the face of police obstruction. Later, when the students gathered in front of Mount Adora Hospital in the Akhalia area to hold a peaceful protest, the police dispersed the students by firing sound grenades, tear gas shells, and shotguns.

Azbahar Ali Sheikh, Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, said, "Seven people have been arrested by the police in this incident. However, their names and identities were not immediately known.

He complained, "When the agitating students created a public nuisance by blocking the road, the police asked them to leave." At that time, they threw bricks at the police. Police fired sound grenades, tear gas shells, and shotguns to bring the situation under control.

Meanwhile, in front of the Zamzam Tower in the capital's Uttara, several people were injured, including three people who were hit by rubber bullets, in a clash between the police and Awami League leaders and activists, including Chhatra League-Youth League. A clash took place in front of Milestone College at Zamzam Tower intersection in Sector 11 of Uttara at around 4:30 pm on Friday (August 2).

Eyewitnesses report that in response to the call for the anti-discrimination student movement across Uttara, security measures have been intensified. Leaders and activists of the police and powerless groups have gathered in front of Zamzam Tower in response to the protesters' agenda. Meanwhile, students have gathered in front of Milestone College. Suddenly, supporters of Awami League urged the students to retreat, prompting them to disperse. Subsequently, police deployed sound grenades and tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. Police then positioned themselves in front of Zamzam Tower. At around 5 pm, when students attempted to return to the main road, police used tear gas shells again to disperse them.

Local businessman Dulal Hawladar said that during the chase, he was hit by a brick on his head. He was later treated at Crescent Hospital.

Another witness said that a student named Tahmid Huzaifa was injured by a rubber bullet and received treatment from a hospital in Uttara.

A nurse of Uttara Modern Hospital, who did not wish to be named, said that two students who were hit by rubber bullets had been treated.

Touhidul Islam, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of the Uttara Division of Police, said, "Protesters set fire to the Special Branch (SB) training school of the police." We were able to bring the situation under control around 5.30 pm by throwing tear shells and sound grenades.

The anti-discrimination student movement held a peaceful rally and march for various demands, including fair trial of all the murders, including the student Abu Sayed, who was shot dead by the police during the quota reform movement in Rangpur, and the release of all the students arrested in the movement. All the rallies ended peacefully in the morning in the first phase, but during the second phase of the program, the police stopped the protest march when it wanted to come from the Park junction towards the Ship Company junction around 5 pm. Later, we went back to the intersection of the park and held a rally.

On Friday around 11 am, students and parents from various educational institutions gathered peacefully with banners in front of the main gate of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur city's Park Mor. They expressed unity, declaring solidarity with the movement by displaying their consensus on the agenda.

Meanwhile, in Narshingdi, supporters of the student movement faced attacks from the Chhatra League and Jubo League, who wielded batons against the protesters. Some leaders from District Awami League and Women's Awami League were also present. Earlier in the day, around 3 pm, anti-discrimination student demonstrators gathered in front of the Narshingdi Press Club near Sadar Upazila Mor. They were chanting various slogans at that time. As they approached the press club, they were met with resistance from workers of the Jubo League, Chhatra League, and Women's Awami League, leading to a confrontation. At one point, Chhatra League and Jubo League leaders physically assaulted the students, injuring at least ten protesters.

In Lakshmipur, there were incidents of violence against demonstrators by supporters of the ruling party. At least ten people from both sides were injured. Later, the police arrived at the scene to control the situation. Following these incidents, the city has been tense, and the situation remains volatile.

In Jashore, students from various schools and colleges, along with their parents, gathered in a protest march against discrimination despite the rain. On Friday (August 2) at 3 PM, they assembled at Palbadi Moor in the city's Shahartali area, including students from Jashore Science and Technology University. From there, they marched through Police Line and Garib Shah Road, entering the city center. Several students participated in the protest march.

In Chattogram, amidst heavy rainfall, quota reform activists organized a protest assembly and march. Ordinary citizens also joined them in the afternoon. In the evening, at the Press Club Square, under the title "Mother Stands by Students," concerned parents of all levels from the Bir Chattal area gathered in agitation. Ignoring the rain, hundreds of students, parents, teachers, and professionals participated in the assembly and march.

On Friday, after the Jummah prayer, protesters gathered in front of the Anderkilla Shahi Jame Mosque, Chattogram. They concluded their assembly there and organized a rally towards Lal Dighi Maidan, proceeding towards New Market Moor. Approximately 30 minutes of protest assembly and slogans ensued at New Market Moor, after which they moved towards the Tiger Pass area near the railway station. During their procession towards the Lal Khan Bazar and GIC intersection, incidents of clashes, stone-pelting, and altercations occurred with the activists of the Chhatra League in the Wasa Moor area.

Previously, on Thursday night, in another protest against discrimination, Khan Talat Mahmud Rafi, one of the coordinators in Chattogram, called for a "Prayer and Citizens' Assembly. The announcement invited students, teachers, lawyers, doctors, intellectuals, cultural workers, journalists, human rights activists, workers, parents, and citizens from all walks of life in Chattogram to participate. Thousands of people responded to the call, with notable participation from female students in the assembly.

Despite the extensive presence of police around important intersections in the city, including Anderkilla Mor, there was no obstruction from the police during the assembly and rally. However, at Lal Khan Bazar and Wasa Moor in the city, activists of the Chhatra League attempted to obstruct students, leading to confrontations and altercations between the two sides. Later, the situation normalized when the activists of the Chhatra League withdrew. During this time, the sight of a police van re-energized the students, leading to a brief clash when the students threw bricks at the van, causing the police to retreat.

Furthermore, under the banner of "Disturbance against Discrimination," students in Sirajganj, Rajbari, Naogaon, and Gaibandha have also organized protests.