Metro trains skip Shahbagh, DU stations

Metro train services have temporarily stopped halting at Shahbagh and Dhaka University stations on Friday evening amid heightened security concerns following clashes between police and protesters demanding justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi.

Officials of MRT Line-6 said the decision was taken after police used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse protesters who had taken position in the Shahbagh area.

The suspension of stops began at 7:58 PM at Shahbagh station and at 8:00 PM at Dhaka University station.

MRT officials said they had received strict security instructions and added that if the situation does not return to normal before service hours end, trains will not stop at the two stations for the rest of the day. 

The final metro train on Friday is scheduled to depart Uttara at 9:00 PM and Motijheel at 9:40 PM.

Earlier in the day, police also used water cannons and tear gas to disperse Inqilab Moncho activists marching toward the chief adviser’s residence, Jamuna, demanding a United Nations–supervised investigation and trial over Shaheed Hadi’s killing. 

At least 31 people, including Inqilab Moncho member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber and  RUCSU general secretary, were injured and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.

SH