100 BNP activists injured in clashes with cop, AL men

Staff Reporter :
At least 100 BNP leaders and activists were injured in clashes reportedly with the police and ruling Awami League supporters in seven districts on Saturday.
The clashes took place in Narayanagnj, Sirajganj, Jhalakathi, Lakshmipur, Tangail, Jessore and Jamalpur as BNP held anti-government road marches at all union parishads across the country in a bid to realise their 10-point, including next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
The leader and activist of BNP and its associate bodies alleged that police and Awami League activists obstructed them in holding the programme in different areas.
Meanwhile, in an apparent attempt to counter BNP’s programme, Awami League (AL) brought out “peace rallies” at the union level. The ruling party earlier kept its counter programmes limited in the capital city, but now expanded it to the grassroots level.
In Sirajganj, at least 20 people were injured in a clash between BNP and Awami League supporters.
The incident took place at the Paikpara Bazar of Kalia Horipur union parishad under Sadar upazila around 11am.
Thirteen motorbikes were vandalized and three others torched during the clash.
Sirajganj Sadar police station OC Md Humayun Kabir, said, “A chase and counter chase ensues between BNP and ruling party men this morning. Several motorcycles were also set ablaze.
“The situation in the area is now under control. But, we are yet to receive any written complaint. Necessary measures have been taken in this regard.”
In Jhalakathi, some 15 BNP men were injured after members of the ruling party’s student-wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) reportedly carried out attacks in Nathullabad, Dhanshiri, Keora and Nabagram union parishads.
District BNP leader Advocate Mizanur Rahman Mubin, while addressing the press, claimed that many of their local leaders were hacked and severely beaten by ruling party men.
They currently undergoing treatment at different hospitals, he added.
Jhalakathi Sadar police station OC Nasir Uddin told the media that they are yet to receive a complaint over the clash.
In Narayanganj, around 17 BNP activists were injured in a clash between police and BNP men at Satgram union of Araihazar upazila.
Lutfur Rahman, former joint secretary of the district unit BNP, said they brought out a procession around 10am.
When the procession reached Panchrukhi, police obstructed them, leading to a chase and counter-chase, the BNP leader added.
“Police also lobbed tear gas shells and charged batons to disperse them, leaving 15 people injured.”
In Satkhira, the law enforcers and Awami League activists reportedly obstructed the BNP men at the beginning of the road march at Nurnagar of Shyamnagar upazila in the district on Saturday afternoon.
BNP leaders and activists including district BNP convenor Advocate Syed Iftekhar Ali, upazila BNP acting general secretary Solaiman Hossain, upazila Jubo Dal convenor Shafiqul Alam were present at that time.
District BNP convenor Advocate Syed Iftekhar Ali alleged that police and Awami League men obstructed them when they were taking preparation to start the road march.
However, Shymnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nurul Islam Badol denied any obstruction by police at the programme.
He stated that no complaints were received regarding any interference by Awami League supporters.
In Lakshmipur, at least 15 people were injured in a clash between the supporters of Awami League and BNP at Fajumiarhar in Kamalnagar of the district.
Locals said the ruling party men obstructed BNP leaders when they were giving speeches after concluding the road march programme around 4:30pm. At that time, they engaged in a clash that left 15 activists of both the parties inured.
Later, police took the situation under control.
Charkadira union Jubo Dal president Akram Hossain Shahed said the clash started when the Awami League men hurled bricks on them. On the other hand, Charkadira union Awami League president Nurul Islam Sagor claimed that BNP supporters attacked on the ruling party’s peace procession, leaving Jubo League leader Mizanur Rahman and five other activists injured.
Earlier, Noagaon union BNP leader Billal Hossain Patwari alleged that the ruling party men attacked his house on Friday night.
He claimed that the attackers vandalised his motorbike, furniture and other appliances inside his home and looted cash and belongings. However, he could not name any of the attackers.
Chandraganj Chhatra Dal leader Jaher Islam Jahangir alleged that the ruling party activists, equipped with local arms, were staging motorbike showdown at different unions.
According to Jahangir, BNP leader Taslim Ahmed and Chhatra Dal leader Tanzir Hossain were beaten in Digholi Bazar area around 7:30pm Friday. Mandari union Chhatra Dal vice president Tanzid Hossain was also beaten by the ruling party men on Saturday afternoon.
In Jessore, at least 15 BNP activists were injured as police reportedly charge batons during the road march programme.
Eight of the injured have been admitted to Jessore 250-Bed Hospital.
Witnesses said, the BNP supporters brought out a march from Bahadurpur High School premises in the afternoon. When the march reached Nowapara Mehogoni intersection, police obstructed the BNP men and charged batons. The BNP men also hurled bricks on the law enforcers in retaliation.
Jessore Additional Police Superintendent Juwel Imran could not be reached for comment despite several attempts.
BNP leaders said 13 activists of the party were arrested on Friday night in a bid to “create panic” among the party men.
In Natore, BNP activists alleged that the ruling party men ‘forcibly’ occupied their place at Chhatni Union of Sadar Upazila when they were preparing for holding the road march.
In Narsingdi, police have allegedly foiled the road march led by BNP Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan at Jirandi Union of Palash Upazila.
“Police have foiled our peaceful programme. We don’t believe in the politics of vengeance. We will bring back democracy through peaceful movement and reestablish people’s rights,” he said.
In Tangail, both BNP and ruling party men locked in a clash during BNP’s programme, leaving five people injured. Police dispersed them and detained two people – Jadidul Islam and Maksud.
Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy while leading a road march in Konda Union of South Keriniganj urged all to come to the streets to save the country and the people.
“Today we are holding a road march programme in around 4500 Unions across the country. Our only demand is – we want a free and fair election. There cannot be any free and fair election under the incumbent government. We want our voting rights,” he said.
In Jamalpur: At least 30 people, including police, were injured in a clash between Awami League and BNP men in Jamalpur Sadar upazila on Saturday afternoon.
The incident happened at the Kamalkhan Bazar in Titpalla union around 1:30 pm while BNP was holding demonstrations as part of the party’s central programme and the AL was holding its peace rally.
Jamalpur BNP General Secretary Advocate Shah Md Waresh Ali Mamun said a group of Awami League men attacked BNP leaders and activists while they were preparing to hold their march programme in Titpalla union.
Later, police also fired bullets and lobbed tear gas shells, which left 20 BNP men injured, according to media reports.
Titpalla Union Awami League General Secretary Daulatuzzaman claimed said six AL men, including him, were injured in an unprovoked attack by BNP leaders and activists at the party’s peace rally.
Kazi Shahnewaz, officer-in-charge of Jamalpur Sadar Police Station, said BNP men attacked the AL rally.
The BNP men also hurled bricks and stones at the law enforcers as they tried to disperse them, he said. Four people including a policeman were injured.
Police fired 34 rounds of rubber bullets, and lobbed four rounds of tear gas shells to bring the situation under control, said the OC.