Primeasia University students and police clash in front of Secretariat
Police reportedly fired two rounds of blank shots in an attempt to disperse the crowd
Clashes broke out between police and a group of students from Primeasia University at the main gate of Bangladesh Secretariat today (7 January).
Witnesses reported that the students were involved in a standoff with police, though the reason behind their protest remains unclear.
Mansur Khaild, officer in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station, told The Business Standard that a group of students from Primeasia University gathered at the Secretariat and at one point, they attempted to force their way inside through the gate. "Some even tried to ascend the wall."
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Police dispersed them from the scene, he said.
There were reports that police fired two rounds of blank shots in an attempt to disperse the crowd
Denying the blank fires, the police official said, "It's disinformation. Police are not in a situation to use lethal weapons."
Earlier, a four-member delegation from the university had entered the Secretariat building to meet the education adviser. They were scheduled to meet the adviser at 4:30pm, reports UNB.
"Outside, however, a larger group of students, who had been waiting, became involved in a verbal altercation with the police," said an official.
The situation quickly escalated into a clash when the police used batons.
