At least 15 more killed in clashes

At least 15 people including two policemen were killed and over 100 others injured during clashes between police and agitators in Dhaka and adjacent districts till Saturday evening, according to UNB reports quoting hospital data.
Of them, Dhaka witnessed 11 deaths, while three protesters were killed in clashes with police on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and one in Savar.
Though curfew was imposed across the country from 12 am on Friday, the agitators went on a rampage in different areas in the capital including Jatrabari, Shahir Akhra, Kadamtoli, Rampura, Azimpur, Mohammadpur Beribadh, Rampura and Malibagh.
Alongside police, members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Army were seen patrolling at different strategic points in the capital.
With empty roads and lanes, the Financial Express correspondents found the city wearing a deserted look.
Army personnel were seen patrolling with APC (Armored Personal Carrier) at different important points including Jatrabari, Rampura and Bijoy Nagar areas.
Many learned about the curfew after coming out of their residences, private jobholder Fazle Rabbi Naim told The Financial Express.
"We are in complete darkness due to internet blackout and unavailability of cable TV connection at my home," he said.
Comparatively large crowd was seen at Karwanbazar - a key kitchen market of the capital city.
The number of buyers increased after 12.00pm as there was two-hour interval of curfew till 2.00. Then a fresh round of curfew was imposed. In a meeting later on Saturday the curfew was extended up to 3:00 pm today (Sunday).
Agitators were locked into clashes with law enforcers in different areas including Rampura, Malibagh, Shanir Akhra, Jatrabari, Kadamtoli and Mohammadpur Beribadh areas violating curfew.
According to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) sources, most of the injured people were rushed to the hospital with bullet wounds.
Of them, ten were declared dead while most of the injured victims were undergoing treatment at the hospital or received first aid from the hospital.
DMCH police camp in-charge Inspector Bachhu Mia said among the deceased, Nayek Mohammad Giasuddin sustained bullet injuries near Rayerbagh foot over bridge, while ASI Muktadir sustained bullet injuries in Jatrabari area.
Both were declared dead when they were taken to the hospital.
Among the deceased, Rajib, 30, was taken to the hospital from Kadamtoli area around 7:40 am and Maya Islam, 60, from Rampura area at 8:15 am. Maya sustained bullet injuries in front of his home.
The rest six victims remained unidentified.
Of them, four were taken to the hospital from Shanir Akhra area, one from Azimpur area and another one from Kadamtoli area of the city.
In Mymensingh, three quota reform protesters were killed in a clash with police on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway at Koltapara in Gouripur upazila of the district on Saturday.
The deceased were identified as Jubayer, 21, Rafi, 20, and Biplob, 20.
Witnesses said the protesters had taken up a position on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway at noon on Saturday.
At one stage, police tried to disperse them, triggering a chase and counter-chase.
Police opened fire on them, leaving three dead on the spot and ten others injured.
The injured were taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.
Md Mainuddin, assistant director of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, confirmed the deaths.
In Savar, a man was killed and four others including a journalist, sustained bullet wound in a clash between police and quota protesters at Razzak kitchen market near Dhaka-Aricha highway on Saturday noon.
The deceased was identified as Korban Ali Sheikh, a poultry shop owner and son of Meher Sheikh of Rajbari district.
The injured were identified as Terek and Sajib --employees of shop owners Korban Ali and Helal respectively, and Omar Faruk, editor of local weekly News Garden.
Quoting witnesses, Md Shah Jaman, officer-in-charge of Savar Model Police Station, said a group of quota reform protesters and some local people took position in different places on the highway.
When the nationwide curfew was relaxed this noon, the students brought out a procession in the area.
At one stage, chase and counter-chase took place between police and protesters, triggering a clash.
Later, police fired bullets, leaving one dead on the spot and four others injured, said witnesses. The injured were taken to a local hospital.

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