Tensions flared at Dhanmondi 32 on Monday after students and people attempted to bring excavators into restricted area to demolish the abandoned house of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for a proposed playground.
Police and army personnel chased the group away, prompting brick-throwing from the crowd and firing of at least four sound grenades.
The confrontation began around 1:00PM as security forces blew whistles and forced protesters off the excavators, causing them to scatter in three directions; Sobhanbagh, Kalabagan and Panthapath.
After security personnel took position at Russell Square, brick-pelting resumed from multiple sides, leading police to fire sound grenades while dispersing the crowd.
By 1:30PM, a section of the protesters returned to block the road in front of Dhanmondi 32, chanting slogans as police and army surrounded them to prevent further escalation.
Masud Alam, Deputy Commissioner of Ramna Division, said the crowd attempted to break through police barricades to enter the restricted site.
“We removed them. They threw stones. The situation is now under control and police deployment will continue,” he said.
Tensions had begun earlier around 11:50AM when activists arrived with two excavators but were stopped by security forces from entering the premises. The machines were later parked near Metro Shopping Mall.
Throughout the afternoon, protesters attempted to advance toward Dhanmondi 32 but were repeatedly blocked by police.
While security forces tried to pacify the crowd, protesters burned effigies of Sheikh Hasina and chanted slogans such as “Send every League member to jail” and “Demolish Dhanmondi 32.”
Police and army personnel later formed human shields to maintain control of the area.
