At least four people were killed and dozens injured when several hundred of Hefazat-e-Islam activists clashed with cops in Chattogram's Hathazari on Friday afternoon protesting against the visit of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.
Of the deceased, three - Shirajul Islam, Robiul Hasan, and Jamil Hasan - are students of Hathazari madrasa while the rest one is a pedestrian.
Alauddin, assistant sub-inspector of Chittagong Medical College Police Outpost, confirmed the information to The Business Standard, saying they succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.
Hefazat's Joint Organising Secretary Meer Idris told TBS, "At least seven more students are in critical condition after sustaining bullet injuries in the clash. Police opened fire on protesting students without any provocation."
According to sources, the clash erupted at Hathazari when the Hefazat activists, mostly students of Hathazari Madrasa, blocked the Chattogram-Khagrachhari highway near Hathazari Police Station, protesting against the Bangladesh visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As police tried to restore vehicular movement on the road dispersing them, the protesters carried out an attack on them, that followed by hour-long chases-counter chases and sporadic clashes between two sides.
Hefazat activists threw brick-bats at police that were replied with tear gas shells.
At one stage, they entered the adjacent police station and vandalised it.
Later, police fired rubber bullets, dispersed the protesters, and brought the situation under control.
Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Hathazari Police Station, said, "Hefazat followers tried to hold a procession, protesting against the visit of Narendra Modi. Being obstructed by police, they entered the Hathazari police station and carried out extensive vandalism."
