Dhaka – Protesting the brutal police action on the anti-Rampal hartal observant in Dhaka University area, National Committee to Protect Oil-Gas-Natural Resources and Power-Port declared fresh new programs including protest and demonstration program all across the country in January 28 and sit-in program all across the country in February 25.Sporadic clashes and confrontation with law enforcement personnel at Dhaka Univeresity area marked the half-day hartal observed by the anti-Rampal and pro-Sundarbans activists in the capital.
The hartal called by the National Committee to Protect Oil-Gas-Natural Resources and Power-Port was also complemented by country-wide protests in different places.
Witnesses said the activists of Pragatishil Chhatra Jote brought out a procession in front of TSC IN Dhaka University at around 7:OO am and tried to march towards Shahbagh intersection.
After the procession reached in front of the National Museum police obstructed them, leading to a scuffle. At one stage, police fired robber bullets, tear gas shells and water cannons to disperse them.
Nearly a hundred teargas shells were lobbed to keep the protesters at bay there and five of them were put in lock-ups. At least 20 demonstrators were injured, protesters said. Many of them were treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital with minor injuries, doctors said.
Two journalists were also injured while discharging duties.
Five people who were detained in Shahbagh Thana were -Topu and Ziaur Jewel, street performers of band Betal, and Sundarbans activists Mizanur Rahman, Mahtab Uddin Ahmad and another.
The two journalists injured were-ATN News Cameraperson Abdul Alim and reporter Ishan Didar. Witnesses said that they were injured as the police beat them by taking them inside Shahbagh thana.
When contacted, officer in charge of Shahbagh police station Abu Bakar Siddique said that the five persons were detained because they were trying to obstruct the vehicular movement in that important intersection of the capital. – Staff Reporter
