Police outnumbered in Jatrabari, Shonir Akhra as protest continues amid curfew

Tension in Jatrabari, Shonir Akhra and Rayerbagh areas of the capital continued to run high yesterday with sporadic clashes erupting between demonstrators and law enforcers amid the curfew imposed Friday mid- night till 10:00am today.

According to residents, sounds of tear shells and rubber bullets were heard throughout the day as law en- forcers tried to disperse agitators who repeatedly blocked the Dhaka-Chat- togram highway.

TBS correspondent visiting the Rayerbagh area in the afternoon wit- nessed presence of a large number of police and BGB personnel.

Around 4:30pm, scattered agitators regrouped on the highway. Police fired live and rubber bullets with rounds of teargas shells while demonstrators retaliated with brickbats and stones. Facing heavy resistance, both BGB and policemen retreated from Rayerbagh area.

Army personnel were stationed at Toll Plaza-2 of the Mayor Hanif Flyo- ver, which was set on fire earlier, near Kajla area. RAB choppers were also seen flying over the area.

Those who were injured in the clashes were taken to nearby hos- pitals. A youth, Ifat, 18, succumbed to bullet injuries while undergoing treatment at the Salman Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, doctors at the hos- pital said. At least 15 others with light to severe injuries also received treat- ment there.

A police official stationed at the Jatrabari intersection told TBS, "Lo- cals and BNP-Jamaat activists have joined the students' demonstration."

"As agitators outmatch us by num- bers, we have not been able to bring the situation under control. Even tear shells and bullets are not stopping them," he said, adding that policemen are trying to contain the situation.

The situation in the Jatrabari, Shonir Akhra and Rayerbagh areas, located along the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, re- mained extremely volatile in the past four-five days since the quota reform protests turned violent amid police actions.

Shonir Akhra had turned into a war zone on 17 July, when a local and his son were hit by stray rubber bullets while they were inside their home. Four others were also injured. The incident enraged locals, com- pelling them to block the highway. That night, agitators set a toll plaza of the Mayor Hanif Flyover, a police box, and a police station in Jatrabari, on fire. The clash ensued till late night, halting traffic in the area.

Till Friday, around 400 people had sustained light to severe inju- ries, mostly bullet wounds, during clashes in these areas.

TBS could not confirm the num- ber of injured on Saturday but the figure could be around 40, accord- ing to locals.