Bangladesh Crisis Clashes Erupt Between Students and Paramilitary Forces, 50 Injured

 At least 50 people were injured in Dhaka on Sunday when students clashed with hundreds of paramilitary personnel during a protest demanding job regularization.

The clashes erupted around 9:20 pm near the Secretariat, where Dhaka University students had gathered in response to reports that several students, including Nahid Islam—a student leader and advisor in the caretaker government—had been detained by members of Ansar, a paramilitary auxiliary force. The students attempted to disperse an ongoing Ansar protest, where the paramilitary personnel were demanding permanent employment.During the confrontation, both groups hurled bricks at each other, prompting the police and military forces to step in and restore order.

Earlier in the day, Ansar members had ended their protest after receiving assurances from Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the interim government's home affairs advisor. However, tensions flared again when students accused the Ansar force of breaking their agreement.

Student protest coordinator Hasnat Abdullah later took to Facebook, blaming former Ansar director general Maj Gen AKM Aminul Haque for the continued blockade of the Secretariat, despite the demands being met.

"The autocratic forces are trying to make a comeback through the Ansar force. Even after their demands were met, we were kept locked in the Secretariat," Abdullah said.

News of the ongoing blockade ignited further unrest, with over a thousand students and others, many armed with sticks, gathering at the Secretariat. Violence erupted when they confronted members of Ansar. Following the clashes, reports emerged of scattered Ansar personnel being attacked.