Senior officers of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have convened an emergency meeting following widespread criticism over law enforcement’s role in the violent incidents in Bijoynagar, where Gono Odhikar Parishad leader Nurul Haque Nur was injured in a baton charge.

DMP’s Additional Commissioner for Crime and Operations, S.N. Md Nazrul Islam, confirmed on Saturday (August 30) that the meeting was underway to review the situation.

During Friday night’s clashes between activists of the Jatiya Party and Gono Odhikar Parishad, a man in a red polo shirt was seen beating student leader Samrat in the presence of both police and army personnel. The man, who claimed to be a police officer, has not yet been identified by DMP.

“This is an extremely important matter and senior officials are holding discussions,” Nazrul Islam told reporters. 

He also said, “Whether the individual in civilian clothes has been detained or identified is not something I want to comment on right now. Work is ongoing.”

The confrontation left at least 50 people injured, including Nur and Gono Odhikar’s general secretary Rashed Khan. Nur was initially taken to Islami Bank Hospital before being transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital later in the night for emergency treatment.

The incident has drawn condemnation from political parties including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports (NCPC). They described the crackdown as an attempt to intimidate opposition groups.

SMS/