‘All Eyes on Bangladesh’: Deaths during countrywide clashes mar yet another Friday
A day labourer was shot dead in Habiganj; a police constable succumbed to injuries received during a clash in Khulna
Protesters gathered at the Doyel Chattar at Dhaka University during a programme on 2 August. A banner held by a protester reads ‘[You] will be killed if [you] speak’. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
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Protesters gathered at the Doyel Chattar at Dhaka University during a programme on 2 August. A banner held by a protester reads ‘[You] will be killed if [you] speak’. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
It was “All Eyes on Bangladesh” on yet another Friday with at least two confirmed deaths till 9:00pm.
Even in the early hours, the air in Bangladesh was gripped with palpable tension – protest march programmes had been announced across the country, with police, BGB and army personnel taking positions in numerous locations.
Soon after Jummah prayers, news of fresh violence began to trickle in, as protesters defied lashing rains.
“All Eyes on Khulna”, “All Eyes on Uttara”, “All Eyes in Sylhet”, among other similar ones, became trending hashtags across social media.
It all began peacefully, with thousands taking to streets in different processions.
Songs could be heard and flags could be seen in different corners as people from all walks of life joined the protests.
News of the first confirmed death during today’s protests came from Habiganj, where one person died amid clashes between police and students during a rally organised by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in the district’s Tuk Bazar area.
The victim was identified as Mostak Mia, 28, a resident of Tuk Bazar area. He worked as a labourer under a PDB contractor in Habiganj.
Mostak suffered a bullet injury during the clashes between the agitating students and the police this afternoon.
Besides, at least 50 people including policemen were injured during the clash between police and anti-discrimination student movement protesters.
The second death was reported in Khulna.
A police constable named Suman succumbed to injuries sustained during clashes with protesters, Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mozammel Haque told TBS.
Earlier, protesters had set fire to the district Awami League office.
They also threw stones at the residence of Habiganj-3 constituency lawmaker, Abu Zahir, and burned several motorcycles.
In the capital’s Uttara, reports emerged of police, alongside some unidentified men, clashing with protesters.
There were allegations of protesters being fired upon.
Police clashed with protesting students – especially from private universities, Rajuk Uttara Model College, and Milestone College, among other educational institutions.
The clashes mainly broke out in Uttara-11, with chase and counter-chases ensuing.
Videos circulating supposedly from the scene showed police firing teargas shells and sound grenades at the protesters to disperse them.
When asked, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Uttara Division’s deputy commissioner and additional deputy commissioner refused to make any comments on the issue.
Tahmid Huzaifa, a student of Independent University Bangladesh (IUB), was reportedly shot in the protest in Uttara, his cousin Usama bin Sayed told The Business Standard.
Tahmid is currently admitted to a hospital in Uttara, Usama said.
Protesters gather at ECB Chattar in Mirpur. Photo: TBS/ Md Jahidul Islam
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Protesters gather at ECB Chattar in Mirpur. Photo: TBS/ Md Jahidul Islam
Social media was also rampant with statuses saying “Chhatra League” men were forcing their way into homes to track down student protesters.
In Mirpur, a thick security blanket, comprising BGB, police and army personnel was observed before the protesters had begun to gather.
Protesters gather near the main entrance on 2 August. Photo: Awal Sheikh/TBS
Protesters gather near the main entrance on 2 August. Photo: Awal Sheikh/TBS
