As part of the announced countrywide ‘Complete Shutdown’ from dawn to dusk today (July 18, 2024), students demanding quota system reform from several colleges and universities took to the streets in Dhaka’s Uttara.
Their protest turned violent when police intervened to disperse them, leading to clashes.
To bring the situation under control, police lobbed tear gas multiple times. Protesters then vandalized a police box and two buses.
The clash occurred in front of Zamzam Tower in Uttara.
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According to witnesses, the protestors gathered at the same location as on previous days. Upon receiving news of the gathering, police rushed to the scene and began firing tear gas shells to clear the street, which sparked the confrontation.
At one point, protesters retaliated by hurling brickbats at the police, leading to repeated chase and counter-chase.
During the clash, demonstrators vandalized a traffic police box near Zamzam Tower and damaged two buses.
Sub-nspector (SI) Ripon, duty officer at Uttara Purbo Paschim Police Station, said that the clashes were going on and the extent of the damages was yet to be determined. Police officers are actively working at the scene.
Read more: Shutdown cripples capital city amid clashes between police and protesters