At least 50 people, including students, were injured in separate clashes involving police, Bangladesh Chhatra League activists and protesters in Motijheel and Dhaka University areas yesterday.

BCL activists severely beat up DU correspondents of Prothom Alo Asif Hawlader and Bangla Tribune Abid Hasan Rasel in the university area while the two were covering the protest programmes.

The first clash ensued when Bangladesh Chhatra and Jubo Adhikar Parishad brought out a procession protesting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bangladesh visit from Bijoynagar area around 11:30am.

Over 500 protesters took part in the procession, led by former Ducsu VP Nurul Haque Nur. When it reached near Shapla Chattar in Motijheel around 12:30pm, police obstructed them and the clash ensued, witnesses said.

The demonstrators threw brick chunks when police charged batons, fired teargas shells and bullets to disperse them.

Parishad leader Faruk Hasan said at least 25 protesters were injured in the clash.

Syed Nurul Haq, deputy commissioner of Motijheel division, said seven police personnel, including the officer-in-charge of Paltan Police Station, were also hurt. Police detained 33 protesters from the spot, he added.

Vehicular movement at Bijoynagar, Paltan intersection, Shapla Chattar and Dainik Bangla intersection remained halted for about half an hour due to the clash.

In another development, BCL men attacked DU correspondent of Bangla Tribune Abid with bamboo sticks in TSC area around 5:30pm while he was covering a programme by a platform named "People of Bangladesh" protesting Modi's Bangladesh visit.

Abid alleged that the attackers also snatched his mobile phone and press card. Later, he was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Hours after the incident, the BCL men swooped on protesters of leftist students' alliance when they brought out a torch-procession from TSC area around 7:30pm, triggering a clash, witnesses said.

At least 15 demonstrators took treatment at DMCH. 

DU correspondent of Prothom Alo Asif was severely beaten up by the BCL men while he was covering the incident, witnesses said.

He had four stiches on his head. Later, he was taken to a private hospital.

Despite repeated attempts, this correspondent could not reach BCL President Al Nahiyan Khan Joy and Secretary Lekhak Bhattacharjee for comments.

DU BCL unit President Sonjit Chandra Das told The Daily Star that he heard about the clashes and the attacks on the journalists.

He added that they would take action if any BCL men is found involved in the attack on the journalists.