25 injured in clash over sidewalk stalls at New Market

At least 25 people were injured in a clash between activists of Dhaka College Chhatra Dal and New Market thana Jubo Dal over setting up shops on a footpath in the capital’s New Market area on Tuesday night.

The clash broke out in front of Balaka Cinema Hall shortly after 8pm. The injured received treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Popular Medical College Hospital in Dhanmondi.

According to witnesses and law enforcement sources, Jubo Dal activists had set up several stalls on the footpath in front of the cinema hall. A group of Dhaka College Chhatra Dal activists went there to remove the stalls, leading to the clash.

Around 15 Chhatra Dal activists and more than 10 Jubo Dal activists were reportedly injured.

Following the clash, Chhatra Dal activists allegedly vandalised the office of New Market thana Jubo Dal member secretary AKM Chanchal in Bashundhara Goli, Science Lab.

Chanchal claimed that some Jubo Dal activists run businesses on the footpath and alleged that Chhatra Dal activists attacked the stalls before vandalising and looting his office. He denied owning any shop there.

Dhaka College Chhatra Dal member secretary Millad Hossain said he was outside Dhaka and unaware of the incident. Its convener Piyal Hasan said he was dealing with the situation and would speak later.

SKS