Violent clashes erupt at Bangladesh's Jatrabari over quota reform movement, 6 sustain bullet wounds
Dhaka/IBNS: At least six people, including a child, received injuries from tear gas shells and rubber bullets in a violent clash between protesting students and the police during the quota reform movement in the Shonir Akhra area in the capital's Jatrabari on Wednesday evening, media reports said.
The injured have been identified as Sohag, 27, Faisal, 28, Mahim Ahmed Piyas,15, Monirul, 20, Rohid, 2, and Bablu Mia, 40.
According to locals, police fired tear shells, and rubber bullets targeting the protesters resulting in smoke engulfing the area which triggered panic among the residents.
Locals have joined the protesters during clashes.
Multiple motorcycles, toll plaza booths on the adjacent Hanif Flyover, and a police box have been set on fire and vandalized. Tyres were also set on fire on the road.
Shahidul Islam, station officer, of Postogola Fire Service said at least one unit had reached the spot to douse the fire, Dhaka Tribune reported.
The clashes have left many injured as police fired shotgun pellets and tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.
After enforcing a day-long Dhaka-Chittagong highway blockade, clashes between police and students affiliated with the quota reform movement erupted in the evening.
The situation saw sporadic incidents of chase and counter-chase.
Jatrabari Police inspector (investigation) told reporters: “Local BNP-Jamaat people blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway using the students as shields. They were dispersed in the evening.”
He claimed that he did not know whether anyone was injured in the police firing.
Tension escalated in various parts of Dhaka on Wednesday as 50 individuals, including journalists, police officers, students, and bystanders, were injured and rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment amidst protests demanding quota reform.
Expressing solidarity with the students demanding quota reform in government jobs, university teachers held a protest rally on the Dhaka University campus recently. Under the banner of the University Teachers Network Against Repression, a platform comprising public university teachers, they held the protest rally at Aparajeyo Bangla.
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