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Published : 26 Aug 2024, 12:57 AM
A clash broke out between Ansar members and students outside the Secretariat, affecting daily operations and causing several injuries.
Around 9pm on Sunday, students from Dhaka University's TSC marched on the Secretariat and engaged with Ansar members demonstrating for nationalisation of their job.
The Ansars assaulted several students during the confrontation, forcing students to retreat to the Sikkha Chattar.
The Ansar members continued with their protest there.
Students claimed that Ansar members had trapped Sarjish Alam and Hasnat Abdullah, coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, inside the Secretariat.
Hundreds of students from Dhaka University then rushed to rescue their besieged peers.
They then launched a counterattack to take control of the area around the Secretariat as the Ansar members withdrew.
By 10:20pm, Sarjis and Hasnat, along with other trapped officials including Advisor Nahid Islam, exited the building.
Abu Baker Majumdar, another coordinator of the movement, said at least 30 injured students are receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
“We have not harmed the Ansar members, but they have indiscriminately beaten our students," he added.
He criticised the Ansars for creating disorder at a time when students are gathering relief supplies for the flood-hit victims.
Asif Himadri, a reporter from Prothom Alo, was also attacked by Ansar members and is currently being treated at DMCH, according to Mohiuddin Mahi, general secretary of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association.
The protests by Ansar personnel began on Wednesday, demanding job nationalisation as they work on a daily wage basis.
Their rally started outside the National Press Club and spread across the area, causing road closures.
The Ansar personnel were unsuccessful in their multiple attempts to enter the Secretariat.
A meeting was held with a seven-strong delegation from the Ansars and Home Advisor Mohammad Jahangir Alam Chowdhury at 3pm.
The home advisor said the Ansar rest policy would be abolished.
He also said a committee would review other demands and submit a report for further decisions.
Despite this decision, Ansar members continued their protests, leading to a blockade of the Secretariat where many officials were unable to leave until later in the evening.
An emergency meeting involving five advisors and 10 Ansar representatives was held around 7:45pm, chaired by the home advisor, and clashes resumed around 9:45pm.
