The agitating students of Dhaka College (DC) again took to the streets near New Market in the capital at around 5:00 pm on Wednesday, protesting reopening of the markets in the area without meeting their demands.
The leaders of Dhaka New Market Business Association, attending a press conference, announced the reopening of the markets on the day.
After hearing the announcement to reopen the markets, the agitating students blockaded Mirpur Road, where several crude bombs were exploded. Traffic movement on the major road came to a halt following the situation.
Sharif Mohammad Farukuzzaman, Assistant Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), New Market zone, said the Dhaka College students suddenly occupied the road at about 5:00 pm, when the traders were opening their shops in the markets.
"Some crude bombs were exploded inside the college campus and on the road. We are trying to handle the situation," he added.
According to the witnesses, Chandrima Super Market, Nurjahan Super Market, Globe Super Market, Gausia Market, and the shops near Balaka Cinema Hall were totally closed until filing of the report at 7:30 pm. Agitating students also took position on the streets.
Rubel Islam, a student of DC, said the traders would reopen their shops after meeting the students' demands.
"Without meeting our demands, the markets will remain closed," he added.
Earlier on Wednesday, the students of seven colleges formed a human-chain, protesting the attacks on Dhaka College students by traders and police.
The students demanded probe into and actions against the police firing, targeting the students, and lobbing tear-shells indiscriminately inside the college campus on Tuesday.
The DC authorities, on Tuesday, closed its dormitories until May 5, but the students rejected the decision. Around, 2,000 students were injured during the sporadic clashes, demanded the DC acting principal.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Dokan Malik Samity President Md Helal Uddin said the association would take actions against those, who attacked on journalists.
"We'll analyse the footages available to us, and take necessary actions, if any trader is found guilty," he told the media at the conference.
The police had a neutral role in stopping the clash between New Market traders and Dhaka College students, said a high official of the Detective Branch of (DB) police.
"The role of police during the clash was to refrain both the parties from fighting and establish peace and tranquility," Additional Police Commissioner of DB Police AKM Hafiz Akter told the media while responding to a query at Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Media Centre in the city on Wednesday afternoon.
He said the incident of slapping a constable on the face by ADC (Ramna zone) Haroon while on duty in the mayhem will be investigated.
He added peace and tranquility were restored in the area (New Market and Dhaka College) on Wednesday afternoon after fruitful discussion among the government, students and businessmen.
"We (police) are still alert to avert any further untoward incident," he said.
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