Police disperse anti-sculpture protesters
Police chased off hundreds of anti-sculpture protesters and baton charged them while they were gathering and marching in Shahbagh area.
Ignoring police obstructions, a number of Muslim devotees chanted slogans against the creation of sculptures and clashed with the lawmen in front of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Friday afternoon.
The confrontation took place after the protesters tried to block the road in front of the mosque after Jumma prayers.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Enamul Haq of Dhaka Metropolitan Police told The Business Standard that the demonstrators tried to bring out a procession without obtaining prior permission from them.
"We dispersed them and deployed additional forces in the area to avoid any untoward situation," he added.
No arrests were made in this connection and the situation was eventually brought under control, according to the police high-up.
Following Friday prayers, a section of worshipers went out of the north gate of Baitul Mukarram while another section took up positions on the steps of the mosque.
When a member of the special branch of police ordered the worshipers to go away, they started chanting the slogan "Naraye Takbir" for five minutes.
Police chased and dispersed those who came out of the north gate. Later, the worshipers inside the mosque continued chanting anti-sculpture and anti-atheist slogans for 10 minutes.
No banners of any organisation were seen at yesterday's programme.
However, one of the protesters had a placard in his hand praising Mamunul Haque, who recently called for the demolition of the sculpture of the Father of the Nation too.
Earlier, a tight security cordon was set up around the National Mosque to avoid any untoward situation.
At least 400 to 500 members of law enforcement were stationed in the area around Baitul Mukarram, police said.
