Some unidentified youths armed with sticks assaulted student protesters when they were already battling against the police during their campaign for safe roads in Mirpur, Dhaka on Thursday.

A large swathe of the area turned into a chaotic scene as police chased and beat the students. Then a group of stick-wielding youths arrived on the road to drive the protesters away.

At least one student injured as the clashes unfolded at 4pm, said the eye witnesses.  

The students have continued a popular campaign for safe roads since Jul 29 when two of their fellows lost their lives to a fatal bus crash on a key thoroughfare.

A human chain with calls for safe roads was underway in Mirpur-14. Suddenly, police tried to remove the students from the road, which prompted the protesters to hurl brickbats at the law enforcers.

The police then chased and assaulted students sparking panic in the area. Later, a group of youths identified as local Jubo League activists by the students beat them.

In their version of the incident, the police said the students were violent.

Meanwhile, at least three students were injured during their protests in the Science Laboratory area around 4pm. They were taken to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital.