Even after Sheikh Hasina left the country along with the throne, the mayhem on the streets of Bangladesh is not stopping. The protest that started against reservation seemed to stop with the coup, but within a few days the uproar started again. This time Bangladeshi students are angry with the Ansar group. According to the Dhaka Tribune report, about 50 people were seriously injured in a violent clash between the two on Sunday.
What happened that the violence is not stopping even after the arrival of the new PM? What is the Ansar group and what is the displeasure of the students with it?
According to reports, on Sunday night, students from different departments of Dhaka University gathered at one place. They had received news that the Ansar group had captured some of their people. These were the people who had been speaking against Ansar. The group of students started moving towards the secretariat. They were calling Ansar an agent of the dictators.
What is Ansar Group?
Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Force is also known as Ansar Vahini or Ansar VDP. It is a paramilitary force that works for the internal security of the country. The word Ansar is of Arabic origin, which means volunteer or helper. Different reports say that it has about 6.1 million members across the country, which is also considered the largest para force in the world.
Starting from Pakistan, it became strong in Bangladesh
The Ansar group was formed in Pakistan. Initially, they used to work to stop smuggling on the border. During the Bangladesh Liberation War, the then Pakistani government wanted to pit them against the Bangladeshi rebels, but the opposite happened. They started waging a guerrilla war against Pakistan itself.
The result was that Pakistan disbanded this group and formed a new paramilitary force. However, this group was revived in independent Bangladesh. It grew rapidly during the government of President Ziaur Rahman. They have also been getting many facilities on the lines of soldiers.
Resentment for the job
Members of the Ansar group have also been angry for some time. They have been demanding centralization of their jobs. According to The Hindu report, on Sunday they had a conversation with Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General MD Jahangir Alam, after which they decided to stop the protest and return to work. It is believed that many of their demands were being accepted.
But then why did the violence occur?
Dhaka University students allege that even after the assurance of accepting their demands, the Ansar people did not remove their blockade around the Secretariat. It was suspected that the group was once again intent on destabilizing the country. Only after this did a group of students start gathering. Many of them were armed. Weapons started firing from both sides and stone pelting started. The army had to intervene, only then the encounter could be stopped. By then about 50 people from both sides had been injured.
Within a few days of assuming power, the interim government leader Mohammad Yunus himself had to make an appeal when violence broke out again in Dhaka. Appearing on TV, he appealed to the people to maintain peace and said that fair elections will be held in the country soon. He also assured the Ansar members.
At present, Dhaka Police has banned any kind of meeting, gathering, procession, rally or protest around the Secretariat and the official residence of the Chief Advisor, but it is believed that different factions will continue fighting till the next elections.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)