Published on 10:06 PM, July 23, 2017

Cop action in Shahbagh: 2 probe bodies formed

Police clubbed away a student demonstration at Dhaka’s Shahbagh demanding examination schedules for seven colleges recently affiliated with Dhaka University on Thursday, July 20, 2017. Photo: STAR file photo

Police today formed two separate probe committees to investigate the Thursday’s “student-police clash” in Shahbagh of Dhaka.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police formed a three-member body headed by its joint commissioner Mir Rezaul Alam to investigate the overall incident, said Deputy Commissioner (media) Masudur Rahman.

Meanwhile, Ramna division police also formed another three-member body led by its additional deputy commissioner (admin) Nabid Kamal Shoibal to investigate the incident and how one of the students received eye injuries.

Ramna police DC Maruf Hossain Sorder confirmed the development to The Daily Star.    

Both committees were asked to submit the probe reports within the next three working days.

Students of seven colleges, which recently merged under Dhaka University, demonstrated at Shahbagh on Thursday demanding claiming long dilly-dally on their exam schedules.

Police thwarted the demonstration with batons and tear gas canisters. A video clip available shows one of the student, Siddiqur, falling down after a policeman fired a tear gas canister in close range.

Now, Siddiqur has lost vision in the right eye and is having intermittent vision in the left eye, doctors said.

After the police action, the law enforcers filed a lawsuit alleging attempted murder on policemen against 1,200 such students. Other charges include rioting, obstructing police and unlawful assembly.