The Impressive TimesBangladesh : A Dhaka court on Monday ordered the detention of 388 Ansar personnel in connection with violent clashes that erupted on Sunday night between them and a group of students in front of the central secretariat in Dhaka. The personnel were charged in four cases related to the unrest, which involved the laying siege to and ransacking of the secretariat, as well as an attack on students.
According to the police, a total of 437 named individuals and 11,100 unnamed individuals have been accused across the four cases. The charges include allegations of unlawful assembly, vandalism, and assault, reflecting the severity of the incidents that unfolded.
The clashes occurred on Sunday night and led to more than 40 people being injured, including at least six army personnel, with one reportedly in critical condition. This information was confirmed by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) office in a press release issued on Monday. The presence of injured army personnel highlights the chaos and scale of the violence that took place.
The unrest began around 9 pm after reports surfaced that key figures from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement were being held under siege at the Secretariat. As news of the siege spread, students from several halls of Dhaka University mobilized and marched towards the Secretariat area, demanding the release of their coordinators. The situation quickly escalated as protesting Ansar personnel clashed with the students, leading to the violence that ensued.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos, with both sides exchanging blows and projectiles, causing panic among onlookers. The students accused the Ansar personnel of using excessive force to disperse them, which they claimed exacerbated the violence.
In response to the unrest, authorities deployed additional security forces to the area to restore order and prevent further violence. Despite the heavy security presence, tensions remained high throughout the night as both students and Ansar personnel refused to back down.
Following the incidents, a swift legal response was initiated, resulting in the arrest and court-ordered detention of 388 Ansar personnel. The court’s decision to send them to jail underscores the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the events of Sunday night.
The Bangladeshi government has called for a thorough investigation into the clashes, with a particular focus on understanding the triggers and accountability for the violence. Officials have emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order while also respecting the rights of citizens to protest and assemble peacefully.
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