Police halted a protest march heading towards Jamuna, organised to demand the cancellation of lease agreements of the Laldiya–Pangaon Terminal with foreign companies, which protesters described as harmful to national interests. They also called for stopping the process of leasing out the New Mooring and Patenga terminals to foreign firms.
The march was obstructed at Kakrail junction in the capital this Thursday afternoon. A scuffle broke out between police and protesters, after which police baton-charged the demonstrators, leaving several injured.
Twelve of the injured received medical attention at the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. They include Kazi Ruhul Amin, Jahur Lal Roy, Onto Abindom, Imtiaz Ahmed Rafiin, Russell Ahmed, Shoaib Ahmed Asif, Seema Dutta, Shahinur Akhter Sumi, Fahim Ahmed Chowdhury, Swakai Islam, Rakib Ahmed and Prism Fakir.
Inspector Md Faruk of the DMCH police camp said the injured were given primary treatment, and doctors confirmed none of them were in critical condition.
The Left Democratic Alliance, Anti-Fascist Left Platform, Bangladesh Jasod and the National Ganofront jointly held a rally in front of the National Press Club from 11:30 am to 12 pm.
After the rally, the march advanced towards the Chief Adviser’s residence. At 12:20 pm, the procession reached Kakrail, where police blocked it. A scuffle broke out, followed by police using batons to disperse protesters.
Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner Masud Alam told গণমাধ্যম that processions and gatherings are prohibited around the Chief Adviser’s residence. Police had held several rounds of discussions with organisers, he said. Despite this, when protesters attempted to move towards Jamuna, police used barricades to stop them, which led to pushing and shoving. He stated that the incident should not strictly be termed as baton-charging, but an attempt to prevent them from proceeding.
Bajlur Rashid Firoz, General Secretary of the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (BASAD), claimed that police baton-charged a peaceful march, injuring CPB General Secretary Abdullah Kafi, CPB central committee member Ruhul Amin and several others.
Protesters later staged a sit-in at Kakrail.
In response to the police action, BASAD announced another protest march and rally at 4 pm tomorrow, Friday, in front of the National Press Club.
At 1:10 pm, the demonstrators vacated Kakrail and marched to the Press Club, where they concluded their programme.
Glive24/SS