clash
Sri Lanka deploys troops to capital after clash at protest
Authorities deployed armed troops in the capital Colombo on Monday hours after government supporters attacked protesters who have been camped outside the offices of the country's president and prime minster, as trade unions began a “Week of Protests” demanding the government change and its president to step down over the country’s worst economic crisis in memory.
The Indian Ocean island nation is on the brink of bankruptcy and has suspended payments on its foreign loans. Its economic woes have brought on a political crisis, with the government facing widespread protests and a no-confidence motion in Parliament.
Supporters of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa rallied inside his office earlier Monday, urging him to ignore the protesters' demand to step down and requesting he remain in office.
After the meeting, they went to the front of the office where protesters have been demonstrating for several days. Local television channel Sirasa showed pro-government supporters attacking protesters with clubs and iron bars, demolishing and later burning down their tents.
Also read: Diplomats concerned by state of emergency in Sri Lanka
After the attack, hundreds of armed soldiers were deployed in Colombo as the protesters made accusations on Sirasa TV that police did not interfere to prevent the attack, despite using tear gas and water cannons on protesters as recently as Friday.
Sirasa TV showed government lawmaker Sanath Nishantha was among the government supporters who attacked the protesters.
At the main hospital in the capital Colombo, 23 wounded people have been admitted and their condition is not critical, an official said on condition of anonymity as she is not authorized to speak to the media.
Also read: Sri Lanka leader declares emergency amid protests
The attack came as protesters marked their 31st day outside the president’s and prime minister's offices. They have been demanding that the president, his older brother Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and other powerful Rajapaksa family members quit. Similar protests have spread to other locations, with people setting up camps opposite the prime minister’s residence and in other towns across the country.
So far, the Rajapaksa brothers have resisted calls to resign, though three Rajapaksas out of the five who were lawmakers stepped down from their Cabinet posts in April.
Meanwhile, trade unions on Monday called for protests throughout this week, trade union activist Saman Rathnapriya said, and more than 1,000 unions representing health, port, education, and other key service sectors have joined the “Week of Protests" movement.
He said during the week, the workers will stage demonstrations at their workplaces across the country. At the end of the week, they will launch a huge march up to Parliament, demanding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's removal and a new government.
For several months, Sri Lankans have endured long lines to buy fuel, cooking gas, food and medicine, most of which come from abroad. Shortages of hard currency have also hindered imports of raw materials for manufacturing and worsened inflation, which surged to 18.7% in March.
People blocked main roads to demand gas and fuel. On Sunday, local television channel Hiru showed people in some areas fighting over fuel.
Sri Lanka was due to pay $7 billion of its foreign debt this year out of nearly $25 billion it must pay by 2026. Its total foreign debt is $51 billion.
Sri Lanka’s finance minister announced earlier this week that the country’s usable foreign reserves have plummeted below $50 million.
As oil prices soar during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Sri Lanka’s fuel stocks are running out. Authorities have announced countrywide power cuts will increase to about four a day because they can’t supply enough fuel to power generating stations.
Protesters have crowded the streets since March, maintaining that Rajapaksa and his family — who have dominated nearly every aspect of life in Sri Lanka for most of the last 20 years — are responsible for the crisis.
On Friday, Rajapaksa declared a state of emergency, which empowers him to authorize detentions, property seizure and search of any premises. He can also change or suspend any law in the interests of public security and for the maintenance of essential supplies. Diplomats and rights groups have expressed concern over the move.
Sri Lanka has been holding talks with the International Monetary Fund to get an immediate funding facility as well as a long-term rescue plan but was told its progress would depend on negotiations on debt restructuring with creditors.
Any long-term plan would take at least six months to get.
About 100 people booked over death of 4 in Kushtia clash
Around 94 people have been sued in two separate cases filed in connection with the killing of four people during the clash between two rival groups in Astha Nagar village of Kushtia's Jhaudia union.
Ashraful, Matiar Mandal's brother who was killed in the clash on Monday night, filed a complaint against 67 people at the Kushtia Islamic University Police Station, naming Keramat Ullah, president and former chairman of Jhaudia Union Awami League, as the main accused.
Also read: 4 killed, 15 injured in Kushtia clash a day before Eid
On the other hand, Rafiqul, son of Rahim Malitha who was killed in the clash, has filed another complaint against 27 people in the same police station, naming his rival Anis Membar as the main accused.
Police registered the FIRs after receiving the complaint, confirmed Kushtia Islamic University Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mostafizur Rahman.
The OC said the situation in the area is normal at present. Besides, a large number of police have been deployed in the area to prevent further clashes.
The OC also said that the operation is on to nab the accused.
On Monday, four people were killed and 15 others injured in a clash between two rival groups of Awami League over establishing dominance in Astha Nagar village of Kushtia's Jhaudia union.
Also read: 20 injured as IU students clash with locals in Kushtia
The killed were identified as Kashem, 50, Laltu, 30, Rahim, 50 and Matiar, 40, of the same village.
Followers of Keramat Ali Biswas, president and former chairman of Jhaudia Union Awami League, clashed with the followers of Fazlu Mandal minutes before Iftar on Monday.
The four were reportedly killed by local weapons used during the clash, police said.
4 killed, 15 injured in Kushtia clash a day before Eid
Four people were killed and 15 others injured in a clash between two rival groups of Awami League over establishing dominance in Astha Nagar village of Kushtia's Jhaudia union.
The deceased were identified as Kashem, 50, Laltu, 30, Rahim, 50 and Matiar, 40, of the same village.
Followers of Keramat Ali Biswas, president and former chairman of Jhaudia Union Awami League, clashed with the followers of Fazlu Mandal minutes before Iftar on Monday.
The four were reportedly killed by local weapons during the clash, police said.
READ: 1 killed, 15 injured as villagers clash in Faridpur's Saltha
Kushtia superintendent of police Md Khairul Alam said, four were killed and at least 15 people from both groups were injured in the clash.
“Of the injured, eight people in critical condition have been admitted to Kushtia General Hospital,” Khairul Alam added.
Tensions are running high in the area and additional police have been deployed, the SI added.
RMG workers block road for Eid bonus, 20 hurt in clash with cops in Savar
At least 20 people were injured as in a clash between police and garment workers when the latter blocked Nabinagar-Chandra highway at Palashbari in Ashulia on Sunday demanding Eid bonus and additional leave.
A group of workers of Skyline Group took to the street in front of their factory and staged demonstrations, halting vehicular movement on Nabinagar-Chandra highway around 12pm.
Also read: RMG workers block Dhaka-N’ganj road demanding payment of dues
On information, industrial police and Ashulia police went to the spot and asked the workers to go back to their workplace, triggering a chase and counter-chase between police and workers.
Police fired rubber bullets, lobbed tear gas to disperse them, leaving 20 people injured, alleged the workers.
During the clashes, the agitated workers vandalised at least 10 vehicles moving on the highway and of the factory.
Traffic on the highway returned to normal after an hour when the workers left the highway.
Meanwhile, the factory has declared a general holiday for today. The injured workers were rescued and given first aid.
SM Kamruzzaman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Ashulia police station, said action will be taken in this regard after investigation.
Also read: RMG workers go on rampage in Gazipur; Bus torched
Additional police force have been deployed in front of the factory to fend off further trouble, he added.
On the other hand, the workers have abstained from work in a ready-made garment factory in Khejurbagan area of Ashulia to press home their various demands.
First death reported in New Market-Dhaka College clash
A youth who was not involved but simply happened to be in the vicinity during violent clashes between Dhaka College students and New Market traders since Monday night has died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
The deceased Nahid Hossain, 20, worked as a delivery man for Dlink courier service, and happened to be passing through the area on Tuesday when he was hit on the head by a brick.
DMCH resident doctor Md Alauddin said that Nahid was put on life support and died at around 9.40 pm.
Another young man injured in the clash, Mursalin (26), a clothes shop employee, is in critical condition at DMCH, said Dr Alauddin.
Over 30 people, including journalists and students, were injured Tuesday as students of Dhaka College locked into a series of clashes again with traders of New Market around the Nilkhet intersection.
The whole area turned into a battleground after a fresh clash erupted between them around 10am today, as a sequel to Monday night's tensions, said witnesses.
Of the injured, some 24 people were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, said a source.
The clashes disrupted vehicular movement from Science Lab to Azimpur and created a long tailback on the Mirpur Road and adjacent areas.
Vehicular movement returned to normalcy around 6pm as police dispersed the Dhaka College students after lobbing tear gas shells.
Shop owners in the area kept their shutters down since morning.
The fresh clash erupted as the students went to the intersection around 10am to form a human chain in protest against last night’s alleged attack on them by members of the New Market Traders’ Association.
READ: Violent clashes erupt again between Dhaka College students, traders; Over 30 hurt
Some traders of New Market "teased and provoked" the protesters, triggering the morning's clashes, according to witnesses.
Brick chips and crude bombs were thrown during the chase and counter-chase between the two groups while police lobbed tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.
“Around 12pm fire broke out in some shops at Chandrima Super Market and Nurjahan Super Market after crude bombs were thrown at those allegedly by students. It was later doused but a vehicle of the Fire Service sent there could not reach the spot as the traders did not allow it to move,” said Khaleda Yasmin, Deputy Officer (media), Fire Service and Civil Defence.
“At least 30 students of Dhaka College were injured in the clash that started last night”, said Dr Md Abdul Kuddus Shikder, Secretary of Dhaka College Teachers Council.
Sharif, Assistant Commissioner (New Market zone) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said,"I am currently undergoing treatment at a hospital after suffering injuries while controlling the situation last night. The students took to the streets again in the morning to protest last night’s attack and some of them said they would not let the traders open their shops until the perpetrators of last night's alleged attack are brought to justice."
According to the students, two of their peers are being treated at Square Hospital as they "sustained injuries in their eyes when police fired rubber bullets last night."
UNB photojournalists Abu Sufiyan Jewel and Rakibul Hasan, Deepto TV’s journalist Asif Sumit, and its cameraperson, SA TV’s reporter Tuhin and cameraperson Kabir Hossain, MY TV’s reporter Danny Drong and RTV’s camera person Sumon Dey were among the injured.
Photographer of the Daily Star Prabir Das and reporter of Ajker Patrika Al Amin Raju were allegedly beaten up by the traders during the clash.
Around midnight on Monday, a clash ensued between the traders and college students, with the latter alleging that few of their peers were thrashed and stabbed by a couple of shopkeepers when they had gone to the market for shopping, and refused to pay the bill at an eatery.
Police lobbed teargas shells and fired rubber bullets to bring the situation under control after nearly four hours on the first night.
Traffic on Mirpur Road came to a halt for a few hours due to the clash, in which some cops also sustained injuries.
2 Jubo league activists hacked dead in Jhenaidah over toll collection, 3 held
Two Jubo League activists were hacked to death in a clash between two groups over collecting toll of Kotchandpur municipality in Jhenaidah on Thursday.
The deceased were identified as Akhtar Hossain, 22, and Jibon Mia, 21, of the district.
Also read:Fish trader hacked to death in Khulna
The clash broke out between Sramik league and Jubo league over controlling the toll collection at Chougacha bus stand around 11pm, said Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Kotchandpur Circle Mohaimenul Islam.
At one point, they attacked each other with sharp weapons, leaving Jibon Mia dead on spot and Akhtar Hossain, Sohag and Sabbir critically injured.
Akhtar succumbed to his injuries on the way to Jashore Medical College and Hospital where the other injured are undergoing treatment, the ASP added.
Also read:Rohingya boatman hacked to death in Cox's Bazar
According to locals, Ashraful, Amirul, Sohag and Mithu of Jatiya Paribahan Sramik League, of Kotchandpur Municipality Mayor's Group, used to control the toll collection at Chougachha bus stand. However, another group was assigned with this activity recently. And so, supporters of Don and Hasan of Mayor's Group went there to snatch the control of the toll collection in the morning.
Meanwhile, police detained three people, including Don, for interrogation, said Md Moin Uddin, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotchandpur police station.
Efforts are on to nab the killers, he added.
Fishing ban in Meghna: Fisherman killed in clash with police
A fisherman was shot dead and five others injured in a clash between river police and fishermen who were allegedly fishing in the Meghna River defying a government ban in Sadar upazila of Laxmipur district early Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Ameer Hossain of Kutubpura Matlab Bari in Bhola district.
Kamal Hossain, sub-inspector of River Police, said a team of River Police conducted a drive in the Meghna River as a two-month ban on catching fish is going on.
READ: 22-day Hilsa fishing ban: 5,533 jailed, Tk243 crore net seized
When the patrol team of River police reached at Maju Chowdhury Haat, 50-60 fishermen from five-six boats encircled the team and started to hurl brick chips targeting police.
To bring the situation under control, police fired bullets, leaving Ameer injured.
He was taken to Sadar Hospital but the doctors referred him to Dhaka following deterioration of his condition.
Meanwhile, Ameer died on the way to a Dhaka Hospital.
Five people including four policemen were injured during the clash and they were given first aid.
One killed, two injured in Rajshahi clash
A 35-year-old man was killed and two others were injured in a clash between two rival groups in Charghat upazila of Rajshahi over the formation of a mosque committee on Friday, police said.
The deceased was identified as Khokan Ali, son of Mozahar Ali of Zutkartik village in the upazila. The two injured, Mozahar Ali and Sirajul Islam, have been given primary treatment at the upazila health complex.
Police on Saturday claimed to have detained 17 people in connection with the clash.
Cops and eye-witnesses said that the two groups, one led by Kamruzzaman alias Mukul, and another by Muktar Ali, had a longstanding dispute over the formation of a committee of the village mosque and replacing its president.
READ: 2 farmers arrested for load shedding protest in Rajshahi
During the mugrib prayer, an altercation broke out over the matter between the two groups that resulted in the clash, leaving Khokan Ali (nephew of Muktar Ali) critically wounded. He was rushed to Charghat upazila health complex where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
“Being informed, police rushed to the spot and detained 17 people,” said Jahangir Alam, officer-in-charge of Charghat Model Police Station.
The body was sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy, he added.
Madrasah teacher killed, 50 injured in clash between villagers in Sylhet
A 50-year-old teacher of a local madrasah was killed and 50 others were injured in a clash between two groups of villagers over 'establishing supremacy' at Haripur in Jointapur upazila of Sylhet district.
The deceased was identified as Saleh Ahmed, son of Sifat Ali of Hemu Bhatpara village in the upazila. He was a teacher of Mejortila Tahfizul Quran Madrasha in Sylhet city.
The clash broke out between a group loyal to Abdur Rashid, former chairman of Fatehpur union and resident of Lama Shyampur village, and the residents of Haudpara village around midnight on Sunday, and continued till 7am on Monday.
Also read: 20 hurt as RMG worker clash with police in Chattogram
Lutfur Rahman, additional superintendent of Sylhet Police, said the two groups had been at loggerheads for long over establishing control of the area, that would give them access to various illegal rents and extortion opportunities.
On Sunday, tension escalated among the two groups over the issue, mostly the residents of Hadpara and Shaympur villages.
They at one point gathered at Haripur Bazar and hurled brickbats at each other, triggering a clash.
Around 7 am, some madrasah people along with police rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control.
Also read: Man shot dead in Munshiganj clash
Police fired tear gas shells to disperse them. Saleh was injured by a tear gas shell. He later died.
Additional police have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order situation.
20 hurt as RMG worker clash with police in Chattogram
At least 20 people including five policemen were injured in a clash between police and garment workers at Kalurghat in Boalkhali upazila on Monday.
The workers of Regent Textile were obstructed whey they tried to enter their factory in the morning for collecting their dues.
At one stage, they staged demonstrations in front of the factory.
Read: 2 prisoners die at Chattogram jail
On information, police rushed to the spot and charged baton to disperse them, triggering a clash, said acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tahmina Akter..
The workers also pelted brickbats targeting police during the clash.