Bangladesh
New Market Clash New Market clash: Traders hoist white flags to restore peace
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, April 21: Traders have hoisted white flags to restore peace in clash-hit New Market in the capital.
On Wednesday (April 20), white flags were hoisted at every gate of the market. Shahen Shah Mahmud, ADC of New Market Zone, said that traders have flown white flags in every market. They have talked to the authorities of Dhaka College, the matter is being resolved.
Meanwhile, in the afternoon, there was a sudden tension in the New Market area. At that time the shop staff and the students took positions in front of the market and Dhaka College respectively. Students began to gather in front of the college when the news of the opening of New Market spread on the campus. Later, they started protesting against the opening of New Market.
Dhaka College students demand that no shop in New Market can be opened until proper action is taken after proper investigation into two-day-long clash between shopkeepers and students.
In this regard, ADC Shahen Shah Mahmud said, suddenly the situation became tense again. We never use force unless we need to. I did as much as I needed to. You see, the situation today was quite normal. We had a great day. The students were also very calm. But suddenly the situation became a little different.
Meanwhile, traders said that 10,000 businessmen in the New Market area have suffered a financial loss of around Tk 200 crore due to the closure of shops in the last two days of clashes. There are not many days left for Eid, the level of loss is increasing as time goes by. They said that they want good relations with the students of Dhaka College.
Earlier, traders and shop workers of New Market clashed with students of Dhaka College around 12 am on Monday. The clash lasted for about two and a half hours. After that the situation was brought under control at midnight but the clashes started again after 10 am on Tuesday and continued till evening.
More than 50 people from both sides were injured in the incident and are undergoing treatment at different hospitals. Some of them are in critical condition. Nahid, a delivery man on a courier service, died in the clash.
