Anti-discrimination students clash with police in Lakshmipur, OC among 8 injured

Leaders and activists of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement clashed with police in Lakshmipur town after violating Section 144. At least eight people, including Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Wahid Parvez, were injured. Chief organiser of the movement, Saiful Islam Murad, and several others were detained.

The incident occurred around 5:30 pm on Sunday, April 5, in front of Chak Bazar mosque. At the same time, Chhatra Dal activists held a procession under the banner of 'July Fighters'. Additional police were deployed in Chak Bazar and surrounding areas, causing panic among shopkeepers who closed their businesses.

Police said a clash originated on Saturday night on Hospital Road between Anti-discrimination Student Movement activist Habibur Rahman Fahim and district Chhatra Dal publicity secretary Akbar Hossain Munna. In protest, the Anti-discrimination Student Movement called for a protest march at 5:00 pm on Sunday in front of Chak Bazar mosque. Chhatra Dal activists also announced a gathering at the same time and place under the July Fighters banner.

Given the competing programmes, Upazila Executive Officer Kathoipru Marma imposed Section 144 in the municipal town from 4:30 pm, which will remain in force until law and order normalises.

District Chhatra Dal president Hasan Mahmud Ibrahim said, "There was no Chhatra Dal programme here. It was a July Fighters programme."

Additional Superintendent of Police Hossain Mohammad Raihan Kazemi said both sides were being dispersed. Several people, including the OC, were injured.

The district Anti-discrimination Student Movement member secretary Shahedur Rahman Rafi could not be reached for comment.