Late Sunday night in the area around the Secretariat in Dhaka, a violent clash erupted between members of the Ansar security force and students from the anti-discrimination movement, leaving at least 40 people injured. The conflict arose from the Ansar members’ ongoing demonstration for job regularization, which has been a point of contention due to long-standing grievances over employment inequality.
Among the injured are Hasnat Abdullah, a key coordinator of the student movement, and Asif Haoladar, a correspondent from Prothom Alo at Dhaka University. Haoladar was on assignment at the time of the incident. The injured were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where authorities confirmed that most received treatment, although three remain hospitalized, including Abdullah.
The confrontation began after 9 PM when the student protestors, who had gathered at the National Press Club near the Secretariat, moved towards the Secretariat. This was in response to reports that several student leaders and advisors to the interim government, including Nahid Islam and Sarjis Alam, had been detained by the Ansar members blocking the gates as part of their protest.
By 9:45 PM, the situation escalated as Ansar members retreated, and the students advanced towards the Secretariat. The military arrived around 10:15 PM in an attempt to manage the situation and ensure safety.
The situation remained tense as Ansar members eventually vacated the area, with many trapped inside and around the Secretariat for a time. The student protesters facilitated the transport of the injured to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
The ongoing demonstration by Ansar members started two days prior, with participants demanding the nationalization of their jobs, citing unfulfilled assurances and persistent discrimination. The protest led to significant disruptions, including a temporary lockdown of the Secretariat, preventing anyone from entering or exiting.
This event highlights the growing unrest over job security and employment practices in Bangladesh, particularly concerning quasi-military forces like the Ansar. The clash not only underscores the depth of the employment issue but also the volatility that can erupt from unresolved labor disputes in the nation’s capital.