At least seven people were injured when police clashed with anti-rape protesters, who tried to march towards the office of prime minister protesting against countrywide rape, torture and violence against women on Tuesday.
The protesting students belonging to Progressive Students Alliance and some other left-leaning student organisations began their demonstration in front of National Museum at Shahbagh at about 12:00pm for the second consecutive day and held a rally there.
They chanted slogan against the government and the police for their failure to prevent rape and violence against women and alleged that the ruling party men were involved in most of such crimes.
The protesters then began their pre-scheduled march carrying black flags towards PMO at about 1:15pm.
As they reached the front of Hotel Intercontinental at police intercepted the march. The protesters locked in scuffle with police as they tried to breach the barricade.
Chhatra Union Kalabagan thana unit leader Sadia Imroz Ila said at least five marchers, including its leaders Sazzad Hossain Shuvo and Asmani Asha were injured during the scuffle.
Being intercepted, the marchers sat down on the spot and held a rally there and announced to hold a torch-procession protesting against police attack.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ramna division deputy commissioner Sazzadur Rahman told reporters that two police personnel were also injured.
‘Police only stopped the marchers and were attacked. Two police personnel were injured by protesters’ attack,’ he said.
mj/
