50 including police injured as students, police clash in Habiganj, AL office set on fire

Habiganj Correspondent: At least 50 people were injured during a clash between police and anti-discrimination student movement protesters in Habiganj on Friday.

The agitated students set fire to the district Awami League office. Additionally, they threw stones at the residence of Habiganj-3 constituency lawmaker, Abu Zahir, and burned several motorcycles.

During the nearly three-hour-long clash, at least 50 people, including police officers, were injured, reports our local correspondent.

Eyewitnesses said after the Juma prayer, the students gathered in separate groups and joined the main road of the town. When the procession reached near the Awami League office, a clash erupted between the students and some Awami League leaders and activists.

At one point, when the Awami League activists retreated, the students set the Awami League office on fire. They also threw stones at the residence of district Awami League President and MP, Abu Zahir.

Meanwhile, as the Habiganj police approached the scene, a clash ensued between the students and the police on both sides of the main road in front of the Muslim Quarter.

The police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the protesters. As of 5 PM when this report was written, intermittent clashes were ongoing. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have joined the police.