A violent confrontation erupted in Lakshmipur town on Sunday afternoon (5 April) when activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement clashed with police, violating Section 144 of the law. The incident left at least eight people injured, including the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sadar Model Police Station, Wahid Parvez. The identities of the other injured remain unconfirmed. Eyewitnesses reported that several movement leaders, including chief organiser Saiful Islam Murad, were taken into custody during the unrest.
Timeline of Events
The clash occurred around 5:30 pm in front of Chawk Bazar Mosque, a densely populated area of the town. At the same time, activists under the banner of “July Fighters” held a separate march protesting the violence allegedly instigated by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, also breaching Section 144. In response, the police deployed additional forces in Chawk Bazar and surrounding streets, prompting panic among local residents and leading many shopkeepers to close their businesses temporarily.
Police sources indicated that the tensions originated the previous night on Hospital Road, where a verbal dispute between Habibur Rahman Fahim of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and Akbar Hossain Munna, publicity secretary of the district student wing, escalated into a physical altercation. The following day, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement called for a protest march at Chawk Bazar Mosque at 5 pm, coinciding with the student wing’s demonstration under the “July Fighters” banner.
To contain the unrest, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Kathowai Prue Marma, imposed Section 144 from 4:30 pm. Authorities confirmed that this measure will remain in effect until law and order is restored.
Official Statements
District student wing president, Hasan Mahmud Ibrahim, clarified:
“The student wing had no official programme here. The march was organised by July Fighters. I have no further comments on the matter.”
Attempts to reach Shahidur Rahman Rafi, member-secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, for comment were unsuccessful as his phone went unanswered.
Additional Police Superintendent Hossain Mohammad Raihan Kazemi said:
“Due to parallel programmes by both groups, Section 144 was enforced at the scene. Our officers intervened to separate the two factions. Several individuals, including the OC, sustained injuries during the confrontation.”
Incident Overview
| Time | Event | Participants | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday night | Verbal dispute escalates | Habibur Rahman Fahim (Anti-Discrimination Student Movement), Akbar Hossain Munna (District Student Wing) | Minor injuries, tension rises |
| Sunday 4:30 pm | Section 144 enforced | Upazila administration | Legal restriction on assembly |
| Sunday 5:30 pm | Clash at Chawk Bazar Mosque | Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, July Fighters | 8 injured, arrests made |
| Post-incident | Police deployed in town | Local police | Shops closed, panic among residents |
Authorities continue to maintain a strong police presence in the town, and residents are advised to avoid crowded areas until the situation stabilises.
The clash highlights rising tensions between student groups in Lakshmipur and raises concerns about public safety in the region.