Locals join protesters after 'six residents hit with rubber bullets' during violent clashes with police in Shonir Akhra

Shonir Akhra locals have joined quota reform protesters to fend off the police after at least six people, including a father and his son, suffered reported rubber bullet injuries allegedly fired by the law enforcers,  relatives of the victims and eyewitnesses said.

The injured have been identified as Babu Mia, 50, his son Rohit Mia, 2, pedestrians Pias, 17, Sohag, 27, Foisal, 18 and Monirul, 20, reports Bonik Barta.

During the clash between Multiple motorcycles, toll plaza booths on the adjacent Hanif Flyover and a police box have been set on fire and vandalised, our correspondents report from the spot. 

Tyres could also be seen burning on the road.

According to locals, police have fired teargas shells, and rubber bullets targeting the protesters.

Locals and protesters occupy road during clash with police at Shonir Akhra on 17 July. Photo: Abidur Rahman/TBS

The clashes have left many injured.

However, details on the numbers could not be confirmed immediately.

Shahidul Islam, station officer, of Postogola Fire Service said at least one unit had reached the spot to douse the fire.

TBS tried to reach the DC Iqbal Hossain of DMP's Wari Zone over the phone but he declined to comment.

'Caught in clash'

Among the six inured locals in Shonir Akhra, Foisal's situation is critical as he was hit on the head, local media reports citing doctors.

Lipi Akter, the mother of the injured child Rohit, said his husband took Rohit outside near their house entrance, adjacent to the road, to calm the child as he was crying in the evening. At the time, clashes were ongoing between police and protesters. 

According to Lipi, suddenly Babu Mia was hit with rubber bullets in his face, chest and other parts of his body. Rohit, too, was hit in his right hand and chest.

Injured Pias, an eighth-grader at Bright School and College, said he was hit by bullets when returning from a coaching centre nearby.