A student protester was shot dead in a clash with the police and Chhatra League in Savar, during demonstrations seeking reform in quota for government jobs on Thursday.
At least ten people were shot and more than 150 got injured amid the violence.
The deceased victim's identity has not been confirmed as yet. However, a Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) ribbon was found attached with an unreadable ID card in the deceased student’s pocket, reports Amader Shomoy Savar correspondent.
Earlier, the seriously injured student was taken to Enam Medical College Hospital by an auto-rickshaw around 3:30pm, after he was found with multiple gunshot wounds. Later the doctor on duty declared him dead on arrival.
Enam Medical College Hospital's Emergency Department doctor Mizarul Rehan Pavel and Dr Hassan Mahbub confirmed the death of this young man, adding that he died due to numerous bullet wounds in his chest.
Earlier on Thursday, students blocked the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Savar as part of their “Complete Shutdown” programme. Several people received gunshot wounds during the clash between students, the police and Chhatra League.
Along with students, a number of shopkeepers and pedestrians also got injured.
As part of the protest, the students of various educational institutions proceeded towards the Jahangirnagar University campus and were stopped by the police at various points.
During that time, the police clashed with the students. Chhatra League and Awami League leaders joined in the fray.
When some students crossed the Pakija area and proceeded towards the campus through Savar Bazar bus stand, the whole campus turned into a battlefield due to the clash between the protesting students of Jahangirnagar University, and the police, in which four students and a journalist were shot, and hundreds got injured.
The mobile internet remained shut amid the tense situation since Thursday morning. Broadband lines were slowed down. In the afternoon, the students started protesting by setting fire in the road after being stopped by the police.
At that time, Savar Bazar bus stand turned into a war zone due to sporadic clashes and chases between the police and Chhatra League activists.
Even though the police hurled sound grenades and tear gas to diffuse the situation, the unrest continued. Clashes continue till the filing of this report. The clashes have spread to Shimultala, Radio Colony, and Bank Colony areas of Savar.
Around 3:15pm, victims of gunshot wounds were taken to Savar Enam Medical College Hospital. The doctors on duty are seen struggling to treat the injured students and pedestrians.
No police official agreed to comment on the situation despite repeated attempts.
