People, media obstructed, IDs being checked near Dhanmondi-32

On the 49th anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman being murdered at his residence on Dhanmondi-32, students and general people this morning were seen near the historic spot attacking and obstructing people apparently on suspicion of going there to pay their respects.

Hundreds of students and general people carrying sticks took position on roads near the residence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhanmondi 32.

They were also stopping media personnel from taking photos, and at one stage messages went out across loudspeakers asking media personnel not to take photos. 

Our reporters and photographers at the spot saw students checking ID cards of passersby and detaining “suspicious” people when this report was updated at 1:30pm.

A man — presumably an AL sympathiser — was discovered by the students and the general crowd.

He was dragged to a group of army men while students yelled at each other not to beat him up. “Don’t hit him! Hand him over to the army,” a person was heard shouting.

A group of detained people were kept in front of Mastermind school’s main gate area. They were later handed over to the army members.

Since early morning today, students started gathering with sticks in hand.

A man who claimed to be a passerby was beaten by a group of people. 

Sohel from Panchagarh said he was on the back of a motorcycle with a younger brother and that he was not going to Dhanmondi-32. 

“My son just got admission to Notre Dame College. I came to Dhaka on the 11th to drop my son,” claimed Sohel.

He was taken to Ibn Sina Hospital by a reporter of this newspaper.

According to eyewitnesses, at least five people were beaten up by the people who are surrounding the area.

Some people were also obstructing journalists while taking photos.

Around 10:30am, the students and people were seen taking position in front of Metro Shopping Mall, Shukrabad intersection, Mastermind school, and the road-32 bridge.

A small procession of students was going back and forth between Dhanmondi 32 and 27. Most of them had sticks and pipes in their hands.

A small number of police, BGB and army personnel took position at the Metro Shopping Mall intersection.