Fourteen people including chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Zonayed Saki, and general secretary of Biplobi Workers’ Party Saiful Haq were injured after police charged batons on them today during a protest.

Three journalists were also injured while covering the incident at the spot.

The injured people are currently being given treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Inspector Bacchu Miah, in-charge of DMCH Police outpost, confirmed the matter to The Daily Star.

Eight police personnel were also injured in the incident.

Meanwhile, Officer-in-Charge of Ramna Police Station Monirul Islam said they requested the left-leaning political parties not to break the barricade when they reached the Matsya Bhaban area but they did not listen.

“They attacked us with the sticks attached to the placards, injuring at least five policemen,” Monirul Islam further claimed.

Clashes take place between police and protesters during a program ‘Black Day in Democracy’, arranged by eight left leaning parties on Monday, December 30, 2019 in front of the Jatiya Press Club marking last year’s general elections. Photo: Amran Hossain

Eight left-leaning political parties arranged a gathering in front of the Press Club in observation of ‘Black Day in Democracy’ marking last year’s general elections in which Awami League secured a landslide victory but was marked by reports of irregularities.

The protest rally started at 12:00pm and was heading towards Prime Minister’s office around 1:00pm when they were blocked by a barricade near Kodom fountain near the Supreme Court.

The protesters, however, continued to move forward after breaking through the barricade but they were later blockaded near Matsya Bhaban where the incident occurred.