Police file case over vandalism of police vehicles during quota protests

The case accuses unnamed individuals of vandalising two SS stands, the radio antenna, mudguard, water cannon and looking glass of the vehicle

A case has been filed over the vandalism of a police armoured vehicle and a water cannon in Dhaka’s Shahbagh amid protests by the quota reform movement.

Constable Khalilur Rahman, the driver of the armoured police vehicle, filed the case on Friday.

The number of suspects in the case was not specified, said Shahbagh Police Station chief Mostazirur Rahman.

The case documents allege that protesters climbed onto the vehicles and vandalised them, causing damages of Tk 500,000.

The protesters gathered in front of the Dhaka University central library at 4pm on Thursday and conducted a protest march. The procession marched through various roads on the campus before arriving at Shahbagh around 5pm.

When some protestors attempted to march towards Bangla Motor, the police stopped them. Eventually, they took up positions at Shahbagh. The police eventually moved towards the Intercontinental, but one of their armoured vehicles got stuck amid the students. Students protested by climbing onto the vehicle.

The case alleges that two SS stands, the radio antenna, mudguards, water cannon and looking glass of the armoured vehicle were damaged.

It added that senior police officers had tried to calm the students, but they only grew angrier.

Water bottles, table tennis balls and brickbats were thrown at the police. Some policemen were hurt.

The case includes complaints under sections 143/147/149/152/341/323/332/353/427/506 for obstructing government work, attacking police on duty, and causing harm and intimidation.