Maruf Sarkar, reporter:
Dismissed police officers protested in front of the Bangladesh Secretariat demanding their reinstatement. When the police tried to remove them, a scuffle broke out.
Later, the police resorted to lathicharge. DMP Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner (DC) Masud Alam and Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Khalid Mansur were injured in the retaliatory attack by the dismissed police members.
Police have detained at least five protesters in the incident, which took place around 1 pm on Thursday.
Eyewitnesses said that before the incident, the dismissed police members had started a procession from in front of the National Press Club towards the Secretariat at around 12 noon. Before reaching the Secretariat, the police stopped them by setting up barricades at two places. They crossed the police barricades and took up positions in front of the Secretariat.
At that time, senior police officials asked them to move away from the secretariat. But when they refused to move, a scuffle broke out. At one point, there was a clash between the police and the protesters. Although there were water cannons at the scene, the police were not seen using them.
On the spot, it was seen that the DC of Ramna division had his lips and hands torn and blood was flowing out. Moreover, the OC of Shahbagh police station suffered serious injuries to his head and legs. They received first aid on the spot. At least 5 people were seen being detained during and after the incident, including the dismissed protesters.
Responding to questions from reporters at the scene, Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner (DC) Masud Alam said, "We told them not to stay in front of the secretariat. When we tried to remove them, they attacked us."
