5 suffer bullet wounds in Cumilla as AL swoops on students

Five people suffered bullet wounds in Cumilla city on Saturday as Chhatra League and Juba League leaders and activists swooped on the students.

Witnesses and students said Juba League and Swechasebak League men attacked on the students in Race Course area when they were demonstrating as previously announced to press home a nine-point demand of the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement. 

At that time, sounds of more than 20 gunshots were heard.

Five people received bullet wounds and 15 others were injured in the incident who were, later, sent to Comilla Meical College Hospital.

The hospital’s director, Sheikh Fazle Rabby told Jago News five protesters were admitted to the facility but he could not confirm whether they sustained bullet injuries.

Zannatul Eva, one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement, said Chhatra League and Juba League men suddenly attacked their peaceful procession, leaving her and many others injured.

Of the injured, several suffered bullet wounds, she added.

Atiqullah Khokan, acting general secretary of the Cumilla city unit Awami League, denied any attack on the students.

However, he said they took position against Jamaat, Shibir, BNP, and Chhatra Dal who intruded students’ procession and tried to commit the acts of subversion.

Zahid Patwary/MSU/NMA