Chattogram, July 18 (V7N) — A clash between police and quota reform protesters erupted in the New Bridge area of Chattogram on Thursday around 11:30 AM, resulting in several injuries from tear gas shells and baton charges by the police.

Eyewitnesses reported that the protesters, under the banner of the "Anti-Discrimination Student Movement," had blocked the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar Highway at New Bridge since 10 AM, supporting a "complete shutdown" called by the group. The large gathering halted traffic on the highway. When police arrived to disperse the protesters, they used tear gas and batons, leading to an exchange of brickbats between the students and the police.

Protesters claimed, "We have been conducting our program peacefully since morning. The police charged at us without any reason, using batons and tear gas, injuring several of our members." There has been no official statement from the police regarding the incident.

Since the morning, the number of vehicles on Chattogram roads has significantly decreased. Traffic on the Dhaka-Chattogram, Chattogram-Rangamati, Chattogram-Cox's Bazar, and Chattogram-Khagrachari highways has notably reduced. Long-distance buses are not operating on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.

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