Three hurt as Ctg police open fire during clash over 'Joy Bangla' slogan; 10 arrested

Three people were injured after police opened fire during a clash with concertgoers at GEC Convention Centre in Chattogram city's Khulshi area last night.

The clash erupted after police shut down a concert held as part of a motorbike campaign. Honda organised the free "Motorcycle Test Ride and Free Service Camping" event to promote its new motorbike.

The injured -- Md Raju, 33, Al Hossain Kalu, 25, and Nazir Sharif, 23, were admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH).

Talking to The Daily Star this morning, Amirul Islam, deputy commissioner (DC) of the North Zone of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), said, "Centering the Honda programme, activists of the banned Chhatra League and Jubo League gathered there and chanted slogans with the aim of creating chaos.

"Police foiled their attempts and dispersed them by firing rubber bullets. Ten persons were arrested in this connection, and a case has been lodged with Khulshi Police Station."

According to police and concert attendees, the camping began around 11:00am and included a cultural segment at the end. The musical performance by the band Artcell started at 6:00pm, but around 7:45 pm, police reportedly asked the organisers to end the concert due to crowd pressure.

The unrest reportedly began over slogans -- one group chanting "Joy Bangla–Sheikh Hasina" while another responded with "Bhuwa, Bhuwa."

Tension escalated quickly, and a section of the audiences began throwing brick chips at police and at the entrance gate of the convention centre. To disperse the crowd, police fired several rubber bullets, injuring three people.

A video that went viral on social media showed a group of attendees chanting slogans in favour of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Another clip showed police firing rubber bullets towards the clashing groups near the main gate of the convention hall.