Demonstrations, gathering around chief adviser's residence, Secretariat banned

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has banned all protest programmes, gatherings, mass processions, and meetings around the chief adviser's residence Jamuna and the Bangladesh Secretariat for an indefinite period from Monday (26 August).

DMP Commissioner Mainul Hasan issued a public notice under DMP Ordinance's Section 29 to this end on Sunday (25 August).

The ban will stay in effect till further notice.

The notice comes shortly after a clash took place between protesting Bangladesh Ansar members and students on Sunday night.

At least 40 injured as Ansar members, students clash at Secretariat

Ansar members, protesting in demand of nationalisation of their jobs, had blocked the secretariat, with government officials and Anti-Discrimination Student Movement members, including Nahid Islam, Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, inside the building.

Later, at 8:35pm Anti-discrimination Student Movement coordinator Hasnat urged students to gather near the Raju Memorial Sculpture in Dhaka University, saying he and others have been detained in the Secretariat despite complying with the Ansar's demands.

Shortly after Hasnat's Facebook posts, thousands of students from Dhaka University gathered near the sculpture and brought out a procession towards the Secretariat.

At around 9pm, students started gathering around the Secretariat area and a clash ensued between the Ansar members and the students.

Some students were severely beaten by Ansar members, our correspondent reports.

At around 10pm, thousands of students took positions from Doyel Chattar to the Secretariat.

The road in front of the Secretariat was then occupied by students.

Meanwhile, all Ansar members fled within 30 minutes of the clash.