1 dead, 50 hurt as protesters, police clash in Habiganj

The Report Desk

Published: August 2, 2024, 07:45 PM

1 dead, 50 hurt as protesters, police clash in Habiganj

Photo (collected)

One person was killed and at least 50 people, including some police personnel, were injured during a clash between police and anti-discrimination student movement protesters in Habiganj town on Friday afternoon.

The deceased is Mostaq Miah, 42, who was worker. 

His colleague Maruf Hossain said that Mostaq came to the town to buy shoes. 

"On arrival, he was caught in the middle of the fierce clash. And all of a sudden, he was shot dead," Maruf said.

The agitating students set fire to the district Awami League office, pelting stones at the residence of Habiganj-3 constituency lawmaker, Abu Zahir, and burning down several motorcycles.

Eyewitnesses said after the Juma prayers, the students gathered in separate groups and joined the main road of the town. When the procession reached near the Awami League office, a clash erupted between the students and some Awami League leaders and activists.

At one point, when the Awami League activists retreated, the students set the Awami League office on fire. 

Meanwhile, as the Habiganj police approached the scene, a brawl surfaced between them and the students on both sides of the main road in front of the Muslim Quarter.

The police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the protesters. As of 5pm, intermittent clashes were ongoing. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have joined the police to calm the situation.

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