Staff Reporter :
Clashes broke out between police and a group of students from Prime Asia University at the main gate of Bangladesh’s Secretariat on Tuesday.
Witnesses reported that the students were involved in a standoff with police, though the reason behind their protest remains unclear.
Earlier, a four-member delegation from the university had entered the Secretariat building to meet the Education Adviser. They were scheduled to meet the adviser at 4:30 pm.
“Outside, however, a larger group of students, who had been waiting, became involved in a verbal altercation with the police,” said an official.
The situation quickly escalated into a clash when the police used batons. They also fired two rounds of blank shots in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
Tensions escalated when the protesters argued with the police, prompting a baton charge that led to a physical altercation.
Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Khalid Mansur said, “Prime Asia University students were creating chaos at the Secretariat gate and attempted to enter.
The police stopped them, and after some time, they left.”
Denying the blank fires, the police official said, “It’s disinformation. Police are not in a situation to use lethal weapons.”
No reports of injuries or further disturbances were immediately available following the incident.
