Army and police personnel have foiled an attempt launched by Dhaka College students to enter Dhanmondi 32 with two bulldozers and turn it into a playground.
The law enforcers charged batons, and used sound grenades to disperse the students, after clashes escalated at the entrance to the historic site.
Earlier, Police barricades prevented the students from entering Road 32, confining them to the area outside the entry point. Officers on duty stated that such actions were not permitted under the country’s existing laws.
Tensions escalated when protesters began throwing bricks and stones at the police. Security forces responded with baton charges, repeatedly driving the demonstrators back. Two sound grenades were also deployed to disperse the crowd. One police officer sustained injuries from a brick and received treatment for a head wound.
Army personnel joined the police to secure the area. A significant security presence remains deployed at the entrance to Road 32.
Students had transported the two bulldozers by truck from Dhaka College to Dhanmondi 32 on Monday morning. They had declared their intention to convert the site of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s previously demolished residence into a playground.
As per latest information, Six sound grenades fired and water cannons deployed to disperse protesters.
A tense situation has been prevailing on Mirpur Road and vehicular movement remained suspended at Russell Square as of 2:25 pm when this report was filed.
