Violent Clashes In Dhaka: Students & Ansar Members Collide, Multiple Injuries Reported

Violent clashes erupted between students and Ansar members near the Secretariat in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Sunday night, resulting in injuries on both sides, according to the Dhaka Tribune. The unrest began after 9 pm, with both groups engaging in a series of chases before police intervened to restore order.

The confrontation started when students from Dhaka University’s dormitories assembled at the Raju Memorial Sculpture and marched towards the Secretariat to challenge Ansar members, whom they labeled as “agents of autocracy.”

The tension escalated after reports emerged that Ansar members were detaining Nahid Islam, an adviser in the interim government and coordinator of the Students Against Discrimination movement, along with Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, and others, at the Secretariat.

Student Protest Coordinator Hasnat Abdullah posted on Facebook, blaming former Ansar director general Maj Gen AKM Aminul Haque for maintaining the blockade of the Secretariat even after the protesters’ demands were addressed. Abdullah called for more supporters to gather at the Raju Memorial Sculpture, stating, “Everyone, come to Raju. The autocratic forces are trying to make a comeback through the Ansar force. Even after their demands were met, we were kept locked in the Secretariat.”

Earlier in the day, Ansar members had ended their protest following assurances from Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the interim government’s adviser for home affairs. The Ansar members had been protesting for two days, seeking the nationalization of their jobs.