Several injured as DU students and Ansar members clash at Secretariat

Staff Correspondent: Several people were injured as a clash broke out between Dhaka University students and Ansar members at the Secretariat on Sunday night.

The clash started after 9 pm, following reports that key figures from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement including Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah are under siege at the Secretariat.

As the news spread, students from several halls of Dhaka University gathered at the Raju Bhashkorjo on campus. They marched towards the Secretariat area, demanding the release of the coordinators.

Several injured as DU students and Ansar members clash at Secretariat
Photo: Mir Hossen/UNB

The situation quickly escalated as a confrontation broke out between the students and Ansar men. Both sides engaged in back-and-forth chases, leading to violent clashes. Police at the scene tried to control the situation.

By 9:45 pm, the Ansar members were forced to retreat. The protesting students then positioned themselves in front of the National Press Club, adjacent to the Secretariat.

DU final year student Saidul said Ansar members attacked the students. Some students’ legs were broken, he added.

DU correspondent of Prothom Alo, Asif Hawlader, was also beaten by Ansar members and is now admitted at DMCH, he added.

According to the sources, around 10 pm, Bangladesh Army personnel went to the spot and brought the situation under control.

As of 10:40 pm, students were in front of the Secretariat and were shouting slogans against Awami League and Ansars members.

In search of Ansar personnel, a group of students equipped with sticks and pipes intercepted a Gazipur-bound passenger bus in Kakrail intersection around 10pm and found an Ansar member and started thrashing him mercilessly.

At one stage, one of passengers apologised for him to the students and rescued but he was in critical condition.

At that moment, a panick spread inside the bus passengers while som of them broke into tears.

Earlier tonight, in a video posted on Facebook, Hasnat Abdullah, one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said, “Everyone, come to Raju (Bhashkorjo)! The autocratic forces are trying to return disguised as Ansar. Even after accepting their demands, we have all been detained at the Secretariat!”

Hasnat Abdullah also accused Ansar members of brutally beating students in his video message.