At least 26 people were injured as miscreants attacked the agitating students during their demonstration in Cumilla on Saturday.

Five of them were hospitalised as they reportedly received gunshots during the demonstration that staged in the city protesting the recent killing centering the nationwide quota reform movement.

UNB adds: The students took position in Police Lines area in Chandina upazila this afternoon to stage demonstration as part of the protest programme.

At one stage, Awami League leaders and activists allegedly fired shots and exploded cocktails at the demonstrators, leaving at least 50 people injured.

When students gathered at Kandirpara police and Awami League activists chased them, with many seeking shelter in nearby houses to escape the attack.

In Chandina, some people set fire to the vehicle of the Assistant Commissioner of Land.

The protesters had earlier blocked the Dhaka-Chittagong highway, holding a sit-in to voice their demands, but were met with force by police and ruling party activists.