C T Online Desk: Police and ruling party Awami League leaders and activists clashed with students participating in a “non-cooperation movement” program in Chittagong’s New Market area on Sunday.
The police dispersed the protesters by firing tear gas and sound grenades twice. Following this, the ruling party leaders occupied the New Market intersection.
Students from different parts of the city began to gather at the New Market area around 11am on Sunday. They started chanting slogans demanding the government’s resignation.
Meanwhile, Awami League activists positioned themselves in front of Government City College, City Awami League party office, and Station Road.
Suddenly, after 11:30am, the police fired tear gas at the protesters. The protestors immediately began running from the New Market premises to the surrounding neighbourhoods.
However, 10 minutes later, the protesters regrouped at the New Market intersection and resumed chanting slogans. Once again, the police deployed tear gas and sound grenades. Meanwhile, the ruling party leaders also chased the protesters. At one point, the students left New Market Road and dispersed in various directions. Subsequently, the ruling party leaders and activists took control of the New Market area. The situation is currently at a standstill.
Meanwhile, Chittagong-11 Constituency MP MA Latif, Chittagong-8 Abdus Salam, Awami League General Secretary AJM Nasir, and local ward councillors, were seen bringing their supporters at the New Market intersection.
CMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Kazi Md Tareq Aziz said that the city police will perform their duties with utmost professionalism to avoid any conflict. Immediate action will be taken if there is any threat to the security of state property and public life.
Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Md Saiful Islam said that around 2,000 policemen have been deployed in the city to prevent any unpleasant situations. Police are also on the ground.
