At least 20 students were injured when army personnel baton-charged a peaceful protest in Panchagarh on Sunday afternoon. The demonstration, held at Sher-e-Bangla Park near the national highway, was organized by students demanding swift justice and maximum punishment for those responsible for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. Witnesses said the students had blocked the Dhaka-Tetulia road, causing traffic congestion, and ended their program after being asked by police and army officials.

According to eyewitnesses, the baton charge began just after the students concluded their program, escalating tensions in the area. Journalists and bystanders were also reportedly injured and received treatment at Panchagarh Modern Sadar Hospital. Student leaders Fazle Rabbi and Mokaddesur Rahman San accused the army of attacking them after the program ended and demanded an impartial investigation and accountability for those involved.

Panchagarh Army Camp Commander Major Adnan Morshed expressed regret over the incident, stating that the army also supports the demand for justice in Hadi’s murder. He said the clash may have occurred while trying to clear traffic and noted that army members were also injured. He called for a mutual resolution of the misunderstanding.