Police in Bangladesh attack students protesting fuel price hike

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) – More than 20 students were injured Sunday evening in the Shahbagh neighborhood of Bangladesh’s capital when police charged them with batons while they were protesting against a massive hike in fuel prices.

An alliance of left-leaning student organizations has been protesting in Dhaka since midnight Friday after the government raised fuel prices by nearly 52%, the highest level since the country attained its independence.

The government made the move at a time when the country is going through a critical period, with inflation already hovering above 7% and sharp increases in the prices of staple commodities such as rice and salt.

“Around 25 of our workers have been injured and the condition of five of them is critical. The police aggressively charged us with batons. They even hit us with the back of their rifles,” Salman Siddiki, general secretary of the Socialist Students’ Front, told Anadolu Agency.

He noted that they are concerned following such a “cruel” response from the police against a democratic program in the public interest.

Police, however, declined to comment on the allegations of the students.

“I am not permitted to comment on this issue by my higher authorities. I am also not the authorized person to talk to the media,” the chief of the Shahbagh police station told Anadolu Agency.

He added that according to the orders of the authorities, they act to protect the lives and properties of the general public.