C T Online Desk: A man was killed and four others were injured by gunfire during a clash between protesters and the police and Chhatra League members.
The clash took place on Saturday evening when a rally under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement reached the Bahaddarhat area of the city.
The deceased, Shahid, 45, was the son of Rafiqul Islam from Rasulbagh Residential Area in Chawkbazar. His body is kept at Parkview Hospital morgue in the city.
One of the injured is a student in critical condition, whose name is not yet known, and is being treated at Parkview Hospital.
Among the other three injured, one is named Abdus Sattar, and they are receiving treatment at Chittagong Medical College Hospital.
Meanwhile, within a four-hour span, attacks and vandalism occurred at the homes of Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury and City Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.
During this time, the political office of MP Mohiuddin Bachchu was set on fire.
Vandals broke two cars in front of the Education Minister’s house and set one on fire. Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury was not at home at the time, but his family members were present, Shafiq Adnan, organizing secretary of the City Awami League, said.
The police fired shots to control the situation at the mayor’s house. Allegedly, these attacks were carried out by a faction of the anti-discrimination student movement’s rally.
Chittagong Metropolitan Police Additional Police Commissioner Tarek Aziz said: “First, the office of MP Mohiuddin Bachchu was vandalized and set on fire from the student movement’s rally. Then the minister’s house was attacked and cars were vandalized.”
Following this incident, a retaliatory attack occurred at residences of BNP standing committee member and former minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Central Vice Chairman Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Chittagong city unit BNP Convener Ershad Ullah, and former convener Shahadat Hossain.
Chhatra League, Jubo League, and Swechchhasebak League members vandalized the car parked below the Chatteswari Road residence of former state minister Mir Nasir Uddin and his son Mir Helal.
Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin said: “The criminals entered our house through the back gate, shooting, detonating cocktails, and creating a terrifying situation. They vandalized our two jeeps parked in front of the house. My elderly father was helpless in this sudden situation. When neighbors intervened, the miscreants fled.”
Blaming the ruling party for the attacks, he added: “Criminals from Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League have systematically targeted BNP leaders, causing these attacks and vandalism. They are responsible for these criminal acts. Chittagong had an atmosphere of political coexistence, which the Awami League has now ruined.”
Chittagong Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (South) Mostafizur Rahman said: “Since the evening, there have been attacks on the residences of the education minister, CCC Mayor, and BNP leaders Shahadat Hossain, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Mir Nasir Uddin. Both sides attempted to confront each other during these incidents. We intervened to prevent further escalation and maintain control.”
