One killed, 50 hurt as BNP-police clash in Panchagarh

Staff Reporter :
A local BNP leader in Panchagarh district was allegedly killed in a clash between the law enforcers and the BNP workers, leaving 50 others injured when BNP brought out a procession to press home their 10-point demand and release of party leaders.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and other political parties simultaneously brought out countrywide mass processions, except the capital, with 10-point charter of demand including release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and parliamentary election under a caretaker neutral government.
While carrying out countrywide mass processions, BNP and other political

parties as part of simultaneous movement faced obstructions from the law enforcers and attacks by ruling Awami league and its associate organisations in different districts.
Meanwhile, local BNP leaders and workers in Panchagarh claimed that police opened fire on their peaceful procession when they were holding their programme in front of their party office, leaving one of their party men killed.
The deceased was identified as Abdur Rahim Arefin, 50, Joint Convener of BNP Boda Upazila.
Police, BNP and locals said that BNP and their associate organisations wanted to bring out a procession in the afternoon, but a clash erupted when police intercepted them.
Police charged batons and fired rubber bullets and tear shells to disperse them, leaving Abdur Rahim killed and 50 others injured. Police also nabbed 10 people from the spot and the injured were admitted to Panchagarh Sadar Hospital.
Panchagarh BNP Office Secretary Emran Saleh Prince said Abdur Rashid Arefin sustained rubber bullets.
Additional Superintendent of Police Rakibul Hasan told the media that police did not fire any shot, adding, “We fired 10 rounds of tear shells only.”
Meanwhile, sporadic incidents of clashes also were seen in Pirojpur, Bagerhat, Noakhali, Munshiganj, Panchagarh and four other districts.
In Panchagarh, as part of the simultaneous programme with BNP, Jatiya Gonotantrik Party (JAGPA) brought out a procession in the town and locked in a clash with police, leaving some 15 of their leaders and workers injured. Some six persons were admitted to district Sadar Hospital.
JAGPA President Barrister Tasmia Prodhan condemned and protested the police attack on their party men by lobbed tear shells and charging batons. “Such attack is akin to a threat to fundamental rights and freedom of speech,” she said.
In Pirojpur, at least 30 people were injured during a clash between BNP and Chhatra League in front of BNP party office on Post Office Road at noon. Police detained 11 persons from the spot while containing the clash.
In Bagerhat, district BNP Convener ATM Akram Hossain alleged that Chhatra League leaders and workers vandalised their office and they even could not enter their office rooms as police prevented them.
District BNP Former President MA Salam said, “We were preparing for mass rally since morning, but attacks were carried out in party leader’s houses and party office. Police also detained some 20 men.” Police, however, denied the allegation.
In Noakhali, BNP brought out a rally led by party senior leader Shamsuzzaman Dudu and marched various streets of the town. After ending the procession at district Jame Masjid, Dudu said, “We have to build up a united movement to restore democracy by toppling the government.”
In Munshiganj, BNP faced obstruction when they tried to bring out a precession at Panchasar Union. When they tried to hold a rally Muktarpur area police prevented them.
“The country has turned into a police state. We are not allowed to hold our programmes. When we asked police why they are not allowing us to bring out procession, they replied that it was the direction from high-ups,” BNP Central Committee Dhaka Division Organising Secretary Abdus Salam said.
In Barishal, BNP brought out a huge procession led by BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, who said, “The government is in power by rigging votes. But this time it will not be allowed to do so. People will exercise their franchise this time.”
In Cumilla, Police detained at least 22 Jamaat leaders and activists when they brought out procession expressing soliderity with BNP’s programme, while two others were held by Kotwali Model Thana Police from Tomchambridge area of the city.
In Chattogram, Panchlaish Thana police held eight Jamaat men from the port city’s Mohammadpur area while they were returning from the mass procession.
In Faridpur, policed obstructed BNP to bring out a procession, saying they were not allowed to go further from their party office. Then BNP Central Committee Vice-Chairman Nitai Chandra Chowdhury said to the police, “You (police) are also helpless like us. You are not allowing us because you have nothing to do.”