Law enforcers and Inqilab Moncho locked in clash

Shahbagh and Banglamotor and nearby areas in the capital were turned into a battleground on Friday as the members of Inqilab Moncho were locked in clashes at separate times with law enforcement agencies, leaving a big number of cops and demonstrators, including the platform’s member secretary and RUCSU GS, injured.
The supporters of Inqilab Moncho began their procession after Jumma prayers and reached the area around 3:30pm, demanding a United Nations-led investigation into Hadi’s killing.
The cops charged batons, used water cannons, sound grenades, tear gas canisters and lobbed rubber bullets to disperse the demonstrators while the strikers pelted brick chips and stones.
The clashes left the locals and commuters panic-stricken and forced them to run to and fro for safety while the movement of vehicles halted.
Amid the heightened tensions, six platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed around the Kakrail Mosque and Hotel InterContinental areas to reinforce security around the State Guest House Jamuna, the Chief Adviser’s residence.
The clash ensued in the afternoon. Later, the demonstrators left the spot and gathered at the Shahbagh intersection and blocked it.
When the policemen tried to scatter them from the intersection, they got involved in another clash with the cops at the intersection and Hotel InterContinental area in the evening which went on till this report was filed.

Inqilab Moncho claimed that during the protests, at least 40 people were injured, including its Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, Dhaka University Central Students' Union Secretary for Liberation War and Democratic Movements Fatema Tasnim Juma, Jagannath University Central Students’ Union leader Shanta Akhtar and Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar.
They are receiving first aid at the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
In a post, Inqilab Moncho warned that if no assurance comes from the Chief Adviser regarding a UN probe, students and members of the public would be called to gather peacefully in front of Jamuna, the Chief Adviser’s residence.
Hadi was shot in Dhaka’s Paltan on 12 December last year. He died in Singapore on 18 December while undergoing treatment.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali said that under Section 29 of the DMP Ordinance, all meetings and gatherings are prohibited in and around Jamuna.
“Despite this restriction, government employees violated the ban and staged a sit-in at Jamuna demanding the ninth pay scale. That’s why the police took action in accordance with the law. Under no circumstances will gatherings be allowed around Jamuna.” he said.
Later on, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam visited the area.

Statement of the interim govt
The Inqilab Moncho took to the streets near the State Guest House Jamuna in the afternoon despite the DMP ban and the law enforcement agencies initially did not use any force against the demonstrators, said a statement of the Chief Adviser’s Office Press Wing.
When they tried to break the barricades set up by the police and move towards Jamuna, that prompted the cops to go for action. The law enforcement agencies used sound grenades and water cannons to bring the situation under control.” said the statement.
The government clearly stated that the law enforcement agencies did not fire any bullets at this time, it emphasised, adding that the police dispersed the protesters in a completely systematic and legal manner. Dhaka Metropolitan Police had confirmed that no lethal weapon was used at that time.
According to information received from the doctors on duty at the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, a total of 23 people, including Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of the Inqilab Moncho, have received treatment for injuries in the incident. However, the doctors on duty have confirmed that none of them had bullet injuries, said the CA’s Press Wing.

It also said the government clearly reiterates that it is committed to the trial of the murder of Osman Hadi. The government is reviewing the legal aspects of conducting an investigation under the United Nations and will send a formal letter to the relevant United Nations agency on Sunday.
The allegations of excessive force being used against the protesters through various means are incorrect.
The government is calling on everyone to maintain patience, restraint and responsibility in this sensitive political time, ahead of the upcoming elections. About 180 million people in the country are eagerly awaiting this election. At the same time, the eyes of the international community are currently focused on Bangladesh. Many foreign journalists and observers have already arrived in Bangladesh.” it added.