Police again baton-charge Inqilab Moncho activists during march to Jamuna, 75 injured

Police again baton-charged activists of Inqilab Moncho on Friday night for the second time in a day, as the group re-launched a march towards state guesthouse Jamuna, the official residence of chief adviser, demanding justice for Sharif Osman Hadi’s murder.

The march began from a blockade the group leaders enforced at Shahbagh intersection, in protest against their first clash with police near Hotel InterContinental.

The blockade started around 5pm, causing immense sufferings for travelers.

Also Read: Inqilab Moncho blocks Shahbagh after police attacks

Earlier, around 3:50pm, Inqilab Moncho activists began the day’s first march towards Jamuna from the Hotel InterContinental intersection. Police blocked their movement mid-way with barricades.

As the protesters attempted to forcibly break through, police used batons, and fired tear gas as well as water cannon to disperse them. Police also reportedly lobbed sound grenades. The protesters responded by throwing brickbats.

Subsequently, the Paribagh-Bangla Motor area turned into a conflict zone. At least 75 people were injured in the clashes. Among the injured, 19 were police officers and 56 members of Inqilab Moncho.

19 police officers injured

Additional Police Commissioner (Logistics) Hasan Md Shawkat Ali said, “When protesters suddenly became violent and attempted to enter a Key Point Installation (KPI) area, police lawfully intervened. To control the situation, only water cannons, sound grenades and tear gas were used—no firearms or gunfire.”

He said that he himself, along with 18 other police officers, was injured in the attack by protesters and four officers were taken to hospital.

He made these remarks while responding to journalists’ questions at the scene.

56 Inqilab Moncho members injured

The injured protesters include Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, the group’s women leaders Tasnim Juma and Shanta Akter and Islami Chhatrashibir leader Salauddin Ammar.

Notably, Salauddin Ammar is also the general secretary of Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU).

Those injured in the police baton charge include Monir (24), Faisal (24), Joy (24), Julkar (23), Mosharraf (24), Niloy (23), Anik (24), Umar (24), Rahat (23), Russell (24), Ahad (23), Mahin (24), Azad (24), Shamim (23), Sohel (22), Shawon (32), Jabed (30), Jhuma (30), Ammad (30), Shamim (28), Anjuman (42), Sabbir (24), Jisan (21), Mujid (23), Yusuf (35), Rifat (21), Yusuf (30), Iman (30), Niloy (19).

In addition, the names and identities of other injured activists could not be immediately confirmed.

This information was provided by Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College Hospital Police Camp.

Also Read: Govt asserts no live ammunition used against Inqilab Moncho protest

Later, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) published a press release where it stated that no firearms were used and no shots were fired at the scene.

DMP statement said, 'To maintain law and order, a large number of police personnel were deployed in the Jamuna area. Police only used baton charges, water cannons and sound grenades to disperse gatherings in and surrounding Jamuna.'

It also cited physicians at the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital to back up claims that no live ammunition was used in the clash between protesters and police.

The information was confirmed on Friday evening by Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (Media and Public Relations) of the DMP, through an official press statement.

Also Read: Section 144 imposed around Chief Adviser’s residence amid protests

Earlier, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Friday imposed Section 144 in and around Jamuna, the official residence of the Chief Adviser.

The decision came amid ongoing protests by government employees demanding the publication and immediate implementation of the 9th pay scale gazette.

Despite this restriction, multiple groups attempted to advance towards Jamuna on Friday with various demands, breaching police barricades. At one stage, police dispersed the protesters using tear gas and sound grenades.

Background

Today’s clashes occurred amid ongoing protests by Inqilab Moncho, which has been demonstrating for a second consecutive day in central Dhaka demanding justice for the killing of activist Osman Hadi.

Protesters have been calling for a fair and impartial investigation into the murder, including supervision by the United Nations.

Osman Hadi was shot on 12 December last year by a motorcycle-borne assailant while travelling in a rickshaw in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area. He was initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Singapore General Hospital for advanced treatment, where he died on 18 December.

His funeral on 20 December drew thousands of mourners, and he was buried near the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at Dhaka University.

Following the attack, Inqilab Moncho’s General Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber filed a case on 14 December, which was later upgraded to a murder charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code after Hadi’s death.