Violence Erupts in Dhaka: Students Clash with Forces, At Least 50 Injured

Violence erupted in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka on Sunday night as students clashed with hundreds of protesting paramilitary personnel seeking job regularisation. At least 50 people were injured, according to reports. The clashes began around 9:20 p.m. after students at Dhaka University gathered upon hearing news that Ansar members, a paramilitary auxiliary force, had detained several students, including Nahid Islam, a student leader and adviser in the caretaker government. The students reportedly attempted to disperse the Ansar demonstration demanding permanent positions. Both sides threw bricks and chased each other during the confrontation. Police and army personnel were deployed to control the situation. Students claimed Ansar members had prevented the home adviser and other officials from leaving the secretariat. Ansar personnel have refused to end their protest despite interim govt’s assurance that it would abolish the force’s “rest tradition” under which Ansars who have worked three consecutive years are sent on six months’ compulsory leave without pay.