7 cops injured in attacks during anti-rape protest; police warn of legal action
Authorities have initiated legal proceedings against those involved in the attacks, said the Police Headquarters
Seven policemen were injured in an attack by a group of protesters this afternoon when they were on their way to submit a memorandum to the chief adviser as part of their ongoing anti-rape protests, the police said, warning legal action against the attackers.
"A number of police officers were injured by scratches from female protesters' nails. Later, the protesters engaged in a scuffle with the police and attacked them with sticks and bricks," the Police Headquarters said in a statement today (11 March).
Muhammad Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Media Division, confirmed that seven policemen were injured.
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According to the Police Headquarters' statement, Ramna Zone Assistant Commissioner Abdullah Al Mamun sustained serious injuries while Ramna Division Deputy Police Commissioner Md Masud Alam, along with two female police officers and three male constables, were also injured during the confrontation.
Anti-rape protesters clash with police in front of InterContinental hotel
It said, "Police brought the situation under control by dispersing the protesters, demonstrating restraint and professionalism throughout the incident."
Authorities have initiated legal proceedings against those involved in the attacks, said the Police Headquarters.
The clash took place in front of InterContinental Dhaka at around 3:20pm.
Ramna Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Tariqul Islam told The Business Standard that the protesters were coming from Shahbag towards State Guest House Jamuna with a procession.
When the police stopped them at the intersection, the protesters clashed with the police, he said.
Stating that 10-12 protesters were injured by the police during the clash, Student Union President Megh Mallar Basu told TBS, "We held a protest programme to submit our memorandum. But the police stopped us with barricades. During an argument over this, the police broke through the barricades, charged us with batons."
Earlier on the day, a massive number of students from dozens of educational institutions started a daylong sit-in demonstration at Shahbag.
They were protesting the recent rise in violence, rape, and torture against women and demanding the maximum punishment for the perpetrators.
