Nine hospitalised after police, engineering students clash in Dhaka

Protesters claim over 50 students have been injured during the police action

File photo

At least 15 people, including eight policemen, have been injured in a clash with engineering students from BUET and other universities demonstrating over three demands.

Students, however, claim that more than 50 of their peers were hurt in police attacks.

The clashes broke out on Wednesday afternoon outside InterContinental Dhaka when students marching towards the chief advisor’s residence, State Guest House Jamuna, were blocked by police.

Police used stun grenades, tear shells and water cannons to disperse the students. Earlier, the students had staged a sit-in and blocked roads at Shahbagh intersection in protest.

In response to the police attack, the protesters decided to continue their sit-in at Shahbagh in the afternoon, demanding an apology from the home advisor.

They also called for proper medical treatment and security for the injured.

Later in the evening, a media statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs said eight police personnel were injured while trying to stop the BUET students from proceeding towards Jamuna.

Among the injured personnel are Ramna Division’s Deputy Commissioner Masud Alam and Additional Deputy Commissioner Rezwanul Islam. All eight have been admitted to Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital.

Other injured policemen include Sub-Inspectors Touhidul Islam and Forhad Ali, and Constables Adib, Aminul Islam and Shrabon, 20. Of them, Touhidul and Adib, identified with a single name, are in serious condition.

Seven students have received treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), with one admitted for further care.

The injured students are Nasif (25), Sadib (21), Rizon (22), Pial (22), Shahadat (22), Navid (21) and Sadat (21) -- all going by a single name.

Inspector Md Faruk, chief of the DMCH Police Outpost, said several students had taken primary treatment and left. Among the admitted is a BUET student named Nafis who suffered an abdominal injury caused by a splinter.

The injured students alleged that police launched an unprovoked attack on their peaceful demonstration, leaving several of them wounded.