The 2024 Bangladesh Ansar protest was a protest for reforms on 25 August 2024, near the Bangladesh Secretariat by some members of the Bangladesh Ansar,[6][7] a paramilitary force tasked with providing security to government installations and aiding law enforcement in Bangladesh.
| 2024 Bangladesh Ansar protest | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the aftermath of the Student–People's uprising | |||
| Date | 25 August 2024 | ||
| Location | Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka, Bangladesh 23°43′44″N 90°24′31″E / 23.7288°N 90.4086°E | ||
| Goals |
| ||
| Methods | |||
| Resulted in | Protesters' surrender
| ||
| Parties | |||
| |||
| Casualties | |||
| Death(s) | 1 civilian[1] | ||
| Injuries | 40 protesters and students (including Hasnat)[2] 6 army personnel (ISPR)[3] 1 journalist[4] | ||
| Arrested | 388 protesters[5] | ||
Background
editFollowing the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, a faction of Ansar members began protesting, demanding the nationalisation of their jobs and the abolition of the six-month "Rest System", among other benefits.[8] These demonstrations led to severe traffic congestion across Dhaka, causing significant public disruption.[9]
On 25 August, the Home Affairs Advisor, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, met with the protesting Ansar members. He announced a preliminary decision to abolish the six-month Rest System and assured that the demand for nationalisation would be reviewed by a forthcoming committee.[10] Although the Ansar members continued to protest reportedly, due to the lack of guarantees regarding job nationalisation.[11]
Event
editLater that day, Ansar protesters reportedly trapped two coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Students Movement, Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, along with other officials, including Information and Communications Technology adviser Nahid Islam, inside the Secretariat.[12]
Earlier that day, Hasnat Abdullah had accused the Ansar members of holding them captive and called for support on social media.[13] The situation worsened when Ansar members forced their way into the Secretariat, chanting slogans and demanding that their demands be met.[14]
Around 9.00 PM (UTC+6), a group of students marched from Dhaka University TSC to the Secretariat and were met with bricks and stones thrown by Ansar members, leading to 40 injuries, including Hasnat Abdullah.[2][15][16]
The students used sticks and threw rocks in response. The students, along with the Bangladesh Army, eventually overpowered the Ansar members, leading to their surrender.[17][18] The officials trapped inside were released after 10 hours.[12]
Aftermath
editA man who was injured while attempting to retrieve his son, a student protester, succumbed to his injuries on September 4 at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.[1]
Over 100 Ansar members whom were at the secretariat during clashes were taken to Shahbagh Police Station[19] and a total of 388 Ansar members were arrested and sent to jail on charges of unlawful assembly.[5] Subsequently, nine Deputy Directors and ten Directors of Ansar were transferred from their posts.[20]
Additionally, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police banned rallies, meetings and demonstrations adjoining the Bangladesh secretariat and residence of the Chief Adviser.[21]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Man injured in Secretariat clash dies at DMCH". Dhaka Tribune. 4 September 2024.
- ^ a b "40 hurt as students clash with protesting Ansars". The Daily Star. 25 August 2024.
- ^ "6 army members injured in attack by Ansar". The Business Standard. 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Prothom Alo correspondent brutally kicked with boots, beaten with belt". Prothom Alo. 26 August 2024.
- ^ a b "388 Ansar men sent to jail for attacking students". Prothom Alo. 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Who is behind the Ansar rebellion?". businesspostbd.com. 26 August 2024.
- ^ "আনসার সদস্যদের সাথে শিক্ষার্থীদের সংঘর্ষ, প্রত্যাশা পূরণের জন্য ধৈর্য ধরতে হবে: অধ্যাপক ইউনূস". BBC Bangla (in Bengali).
- ^ "Peons of schools and Ansar members stage protest at Secretariat". The Business Standard. 25 August 2024.
- ^ "Traffic at a standstill near Press Club amid Ansar protest". bdnews24.com. 25 August 2024.
- ^ "Ansar personnel return to duty after talks with home affairs adviser". New Age. 25 August 2024.
- ^ "Ansar personnel clash with regime-toppling students outside Secretariat". bdnews24.com. 26 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Govt officials at Secretariat freed after 10hrs". Dhaka Tribune. 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Dozens injured as students, Ansar members clash near Secretariat". Dhaka Tribune. 25 August 2024.
- ^ "Ansar personnel besiege Secretariat, meet with home advisor". bdnews24.com. 25 August 2024.
- ^ "গুরুতর আহত হয়ে ঢাকা মেডিকেলে হাসনাত আব্দুল্লাহ". Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 25 August 2024.
- ^ "30 injured as Ansars clash with students". The Daily Star. 26 August 2024.
- ^ "সেনাবাহিনীর সহায়তায় আটকা পড়া আনসারদের উদ্ধার". Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 26 August 2024.
- ^ "ঢাকায় আনসারদের সাথে ছাত্রদের সংঘর্ষ, সেনা হস্তক্ষেপে পরিস্থিতি নিয়ন্ত্রণে". Voice of America (in Bengali). 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Ansar members trapped at Secretariat taken to Shahbagh police station". Dhaka Tribune. 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Major reshuffle in Ansar: 19 senior officials transferred". Dhaka Tribune. 26 August 2024.
- ^ "DMP bans rallies, meetings near secretariat, chief adviser's residence". The Daily Star. 26 August 2024.