Over 100 injured in BNP-Police-AL clash in Habiganj

Staff Reporter :
Over 100 people were injured in a fresh triangular clash involving leaders and activists of BNP, the police and members of the ruling Awami League in front of Habiganj district BNP office on Sunday.

Witnesses said the clash first ensued between BNP and AL when a rally of Habiganj district Awami League, arranged to protest against BNP’s anarchy and terrorism, reached in front of BNP office.

As the police rushed to the spot to quell the situation, the clash assumed a triangular shape leaving more than one hundred injured.

Meanwhile, two Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders who suffered critical injuries during Saturday’s police-BNP clash were admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a Sylhet hospital while the Sadar Thana officer in charge (OC), who also fell victim to the same incident, was sent to Dhaka for better treatment.

Earlier on Saturday at least 150 people, including several members of the police force, were injured as BNP activists and police locked into a clash in Shaestanagar area of Habiganj town.

Ajay Dev, officer-in-charge of Habiganj Police Station, and Awal, general secretary of Habiganj municipal unit BNP, were among the injured.

As part of the pre-announced programme, BNP leaders and activists from nine upazilas of the district started gathering in and around the residence of GK Gaus, BNP joint convener and former municipal mayor.

Around 5:00pm, the BNP leaders and activists started the march from the Shaestanagar Bazar area.

When they reached the Water Development Board office, police obstructed them.

The BNP procession attempted to move forward, and police responded with a baton charge, resulting in a clash between law enforcers and BNP leaders and activists.

During the chase and counter-chase, agitated BNP men threw brick chunks at the police.

Police fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets to bring the situation under control.

Several cops, including Habiganj OC Ajay Dev, were injured during the clash, said Badiuzzaman, inspector (investigation) of the police station.

“We are still at the scene to avoid any untoward situation, ” he added.

Joint convener of district BNP GK Gaus said, “When we were going home after completing the march peacefully, the police led by OC Ajay attacked us, leaving our 150 leaders and activists injured.

Among the injured, municipal BNP general secretary Awal’s condition is critical, he added.

Without going to the hospital, he alleged that the injured are receiving treatment secretly to avoid arrest.