At Least 35, including Journos, Injured in New Market 'Clash'

At least 35 people, including five journalists, were injured as students of Dhaka College and traders locked in clashes again in Dhaka's New Market area this morning.

Around 22 injured received treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, according to hospital sources.

Vehicular movement is suspended from Azimpur to the Science Laboratory intersection due to the clashes.

All the shops in the area remained closed since morning.

Deepto TV's senior reporter Asif Zaman, cameraperson Imran Lipu, and reporters and cameraperson of Somoy TV and SA TV were injured in the clash.

They came under attack while covering the clash. Some of them were beaten up and some were hit by brick chips thrown by the students and traders.

Inspector (Patrol) of New Market Police Station told the media that clashes broke out between the students and traders last night. But the situation becomes normal late at night.

Around 10 am today, the clashes started again, the OC said.

Ismail Samrat, the representative of the students of Dhaka University-affiliated seven colleges, told the media, "Around 50 of our students were injured in yesterday's clashes. Four to five are in critical condition."

Humayun, a student of Dhaka College, alleged that the situation worsened after "police attacked them on behalf of the traders".

Talking to media, Kabir Hossain, a reporter for a private television channel, alleged that he came under attack from traders when he was covering the event.

His camera was also damaged during the attack, he said.

Ataur Rahman, a trader, said, "We have not been able to do business for the last two years due to coronavirus-related restrictions. After the situation became normal, we invested a lot of money. Our business is doing well ahead of Eid… It will be difficult for us to cover the losses due to this clash. We call upon the government to take steps to resolve this issue soon."