A Dhaka court on Monday sent 390 Ansar members to jail in four cases filed in connection with the siege of the secretariat and the attack on students.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Mosharrof Hossain passed the order after police produced the accused before court and pleaded to keep them behind bars until the investigation into the cases, filed at Shahbagh, Ramna, Paltan, and Airport police stations, is complete.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Obaidur Rahman said four cases had been lodged at the Shahbagh, Ramna, Paltan, and Airport police stations. A total of 426 individuals were named, with around 10,000 more unnamed were accused, in these cases.
He added that 191 Ansar members were arrested under Shahbagh Police Station, 98 under Ramna Police Station, 95 under Paltan Police Station, and six under Airport Police Station.
Meanwhile, Professor Dr Asif Nazrul, the law adviser to the interim government, stated that the conspiracy by those who created unrest at the secretariat under the guise of Ansar will not succeed. He assured that legal action would be taken against them in accordance with existing laws.
After visiting the injured students at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Monday, he said the situation at the secretariat could have been deadly. He praised the students for their considerable patience, noting that those who disguised themselves as Ansar members and surrounded the secretariat had no intention of negotiating.
"The students remain vigilant, and none of the plans of this malicious force will succeed," he added.
After the fall of the Awami League government, Ansar personnel took to the streets, demanding the nationalisation of their jobs amid widespread protests by various professional groups.
On Sunday, they began their demonstrations near the Jatiya Press Club and later surrounded the secretariat, blocking staff and advisers from leaving. Despite the interim government’s assurance of fulfilling their demands, the Ansar members continued their demonstration around the secretariat, blocking all the gates and insisting on immediate action.
At around 9pm, after learning that Boishommo Birodhi Chhatra Andolon Coordinator Hasnat Abdullah was trapped inside, students marched from Dhaka University’s TSC, leading to clashes with Ansar personnel, injuring more than 60 people.
The students and police eventually dispersed the Ansar members, with the army arriving later to allow those trapped in the secretariat to exit.
Meanwhile, DMCH Director Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman informed reporters that approximately 60 people received treatment following the clash between Ansar members and students at the secretariat. Five of them were admitted, with two in critical condition.
He also reported that nearly 2,000 people have received medical treatment at DMCH during the anti-discrimination student movement. Of those, 800 were admitted. Currently, 100 people remain under treatment for bullet injuries, with nine in the intensive care unit (ICU). "We are providing the highest level of care," he assured.
Following the clash with students in and around the secretariat, the interim government transferred nine senior officials, including a deputy commandant of the Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP), to new postings on Sunday night.
A gazette notification, signed by Fouzia Khan, deputy secretary of Ansar Section-1 under the Ministry of Home Affairs' Public Security Division, was issued in this regard.
Deputy Commandant Md Nurul Hasan Faridi was reassigned from Gazipur’s Safipur to the Khulna range with the rank of deputy director (DD).
Additionally, eight deputy directors were moved from their current positions.
