Four people, who were part of a rally in Chittagong of the extremist group that opposed links with India, were killed and at least 60 others injured in Dhaka during clashes between police and protesters against the State on Friday. two-day visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. in Bangladesh.
In the port city of Chittagong, clashes erupted between Hefazat-e-Islam activists and police during a demonstration in the afternoon. Reuters quoted officials as saying the protesters attempted to attack a police station.
Jahirul Islam, head of the Chattogram Medical College hospital police outpost, told the Daily Star that four people were killed and seven wounded admitted for treatment.
Protesters demonstrate in Dhaka on Friday against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit. (AP)
Hefazat-e-Islam
Hefazat-e-Islam is a fundamentalist group that has been at odds with the Sheikh Hasina government for the past 10 years. It demanded action against atheist bloggers and asked women to cover up, and its members recently attacked a predominantly Hindu village in Sunamganj district over a Facebook post.
In Dhaka, the protests took place about 3 km from the hotel where the Prime Minister is staying. Among the injured were two photojournalists from The Daily Star newspaper, as protesters attempted to organize a procession in the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque area of Dhaka.
Immediately after the prayers, protesters began chanting slogans against Modi’s arrival near the southern gate of the mosque, prompting police to fire rubber bullets, local media reported. All the injured were taken to Dhaka Medical College hospital.
The head of the Paltan police station, Abu Bakkar Siddique, told the Daily Star: “No one has been arrested on this matter. Several police officers were also injured during the clash… ”No complaint was lodged in this regard, declared the officer.