More than 400 Ansar in police custody

More than 400 Ansar members, including two women, were taken into police custody on Sunday night after the Ansar members engaged in a clash with students. 

General Ansar members were holding protests and demonstrations at different parts of Dhaka on Sunday to demand the nationalisation of their jobs. A number of them withdrew after a 10-member Ansar delegation held a meeting with three advisers of the interim government. However, a number of Ansar members continued to surround the Secretariat. They again held a meeting with five advisers at around 8pm. As they were not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, they continued to surround the Secretariat. 

The situation deteriorated at around 9pm when Anti-discrimination Student Movement coordinator Hasnat Abdullah sent out a message that he and some others were being held in front of the Secretariat. A number of students arrived at the Secretariat and engaged in a clash with the Ansar members.

The clash injured many students. A round of chase and counter-chase ensued between the two parties. Students claim that Ansars charged batons and fired at them. Later members of the Police and Army arrived to bring the situation under control and took Ansar members in custody. 

Confirming the matter, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Ramna Deputy Commissioner Md Sarowar said more than 400 protesting general Ansar members were taken into police custody. 

Multiple cases may be filed against the Ansar members involved in the situation, said a source at the Police.