The 2024 Bangladesh Ansar protest was a protest for reforms on 25 August 2024, near the Bangladesh Secretariat by some members of the Bangladesh Ansar,[6][7] a paramilitary force tasked with providing security to government installations and aiding law enforcement in Bangladesh.
Following the fall of the Hasina's regime, a faction of Ansar members began protesting, demanding the nationalisation of their jobs and the abolition of the six-month "Rest System", among other benefits.[8] These demonstrations led to severe traffic congestion across Dhaka, causing significant public disruption.[9]
On 25 August, the Home Affairs Advisor, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, met with the protesting Ansar members. He announced a preliminary decision to abolish the six-month Rest System and assured that the demand for nationalisation would be reviewed by a forthcoming committee.[10] Although the Ansar members continued to protest reportedly, due to the lack of guarantees regarding job nationalisation.[11]
Earlier that day, Hasnat Abdullah had accused the Ansar members of holding them captive and called for support on social media.[13] The situation worsened when Ansar members forced their way into the Secretariat, chanting slogans and demanding that their demands be met.[14]
Around 9.00 PM (UTC+6), a group of students marched from Dhaka University TSC to the Secretariat and were met with bricks and stones thrown by Ansar members, leading to 40 injuries, including Hasnat Abdullah.[2][15][16]
The students used sticks and threw rocks in response. The students, with support given by the Bangladesh Army, eventually overpowered the Ansar members, leading to their surrender.[17][18] The officials trapped inside were released after 10 hours.[12]
Aftermath
A man who was injured while attempting to retrieve his son, a student protester, succumbed to his injuries on September 4 at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.[1]
Over 100 Ansar members whom were at the secretariat during clashes were taken to Shahbagh Police Station[19] and a total of 388 Ansar members were arrested and sent to jail on charges of unlawful assembly.[5] Subsequently, nine Deputy Directors and ten Directors of Ansar were transferred from their posts.[20]
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