50 hurt as locals, police clash
Nearly 50 people were injured in a clash between police and locals during a hartal over a demand for nationalisation of a college in Khansama upazila yesterday.
Tensions were already running high in the area since Saturday, after police attested seven people and detained around 50 others ahead of yesterday's shutdown called by Khansama Degree College Jatiyakaran Bastobayon Committee.
The clash happened in front of Khansama Police Station around 12:00noon when locals brought out a procession and marched towards the police station to demand the release of those picked up the previous evening.
The injured were admitted to Khansama Upazila Health Complex, police said.
During the clash, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas canisters, although most injuries were caused by beating, said locals.
Additional police forces were called in from neighbouring upazilas around 2:30pm to calm the situation. Two people were arrested from the spot at the time, they added.
Abdul Matin, officer-in-charge of Khansama Police Station, confirmed reporters about Saturday's arrests.
Nearly 40 bullets and tear gas canisters were fired during the clash, he said.
After the clash, law enforcers launched a massive drive and picked up around 50 people from nearby homes, creating panic in the area, locals alleged.
They added police also barred journalists from entering the area, but the OC denied this.
The five arrested on Saturday are among those who called the 6:00am-2:00pm hartal.
Locals under the banner of Khansama Degree College Jatiyakaran Bastobayon Committee had been protesting for the last couple of months, demanding nationalisation of Khansama Degree College.
Yesterday's programme was peaceful until police swung into action opening fire and beating the demonstrators, locals claimed.
In protest of the police action, demonstrators called a fresh hartal for today from 6:00am to 2:00pm. They also vowed to continue their protests until their demand is met.
Anisur Rahman, principal of Khansama Degree College, said the government did not nationalise the college though it met all the necessary criteria. It is also located in the upazila headquarters.
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