Angry students shut down a major highway connecting Chattogram and Cox's Bazar after cops attacked them during a peaceful protest. The young activists want police chiefs fired from Patiya Police Station over the violent incident. Traffic stopped moving Wednesday morning as demonstrators blocked the busy road. Students also surrounded the police station to show their anger. Alternative routes stayed open for drivers trying to reach their destinations.
The trouble started Tuesday night during a candle ceremony marking the first anniversary of last year's mass uprising. Students gathered outside the police station around 10:45 PM for their scheduled memorial event. They asked officers to arrest Dipankar, a leader from the banned student group Chhatra League. Police refused to take action against the wanted man. The situation turned ugly when students began protesting the decision.
Officers grabbed their batons and charged at the peaceful demonstrators without warning. Eleven students got hurt during the violent clash that followed. Two victims needed hospital treatment at Patiya Upazila Health Complex. The other injured protesters received basic medical care at the scene. Ashraful Islam Toukir and Saiful Islam were the most seriously wounded.
Student leaders demanded legal punishment for all police officers involved in the attack. They specifically want the station chief and his deputy removed from their jobs. Protesters warned they will stage bigger demonstrations if authorities ignore their demands. The police chief claimed students brought the banned leader to the station and started the fight. He said several officers also got injured during the confrontation.
The trouble started Tuesday night during a candle ceremony marking the first anniversary of last year's mass uprising. Students gathered outside the police station around 10:45 PM for their scheduled memorial event. They asked officers to arrest Dipankar, a leader from the banned student group Chhatra League. Police refused to take action against the wanted man. The situation turned ugly when students began protesting the decision.
Officers grabbed their batons and charged at the peaceful demonstrators without warning. Eleven students got hurt during the violent clash that followed. Two victims needed hospital treatment at Patiya Upazila Health Complex. The other injured protesters received basic medical care at the scene. Ashraful Islam Toukir and Saiful Islam were the most seriously wounded.
Student leaders demanded legal punishment for all police officers involved in the attack. They specifically want the station chief and his deputy removed from their jobs. Protesters warned they will stage bigger demonstrations if authorities ignore their demands. The police chief claimed students brought the banned leader to the station and started the fight. He said several officers also got injured during the confrontation.
