At least 100 BNP activists were injured during a series of clashes with ruling Awami League men on Thursday in the capital’s Mirpur area over holding a scheduled rally, alleged BNP, reports UNB.
“We took permission from the police to hold the rally and accordingly asked our activists to join. As our leaders, activists were coming with a procession, activists of Awami League, Jubo League, and Chaatra League attacked them with sticks and rods,” said Aminul Haque, member secretary of Dhaka North unit of BNP.
He alleged that police also lobbed tear shells at BNP activists.
“At least 100 of our activists were injured and 15 were held by police,” claimed Aminul.
Sheikh Bazlur Rahman, president of Dhaka North Awami League said a party rally was scheduled there. But BNP also announced a rally later at the same place.
He said AL activists were directed to avoid confrontation considering the rallies called by the parties at the same place and same time, “But some overexcited people got involved in a clash,” he said.
Eyewitnesses said the trouble started around 2 pm as the ruling party activists reportedly barred their BNP rivals from going to their scheduled rally venue in Mukul Fouz field at Mirpur Section No-6.
The clash occurred around the Mukul Fouz field as the BNP activists tried to resist the ruling party rivals.
At one stage, police rushed to the spot and lobbed teargas shells to bring the situation under control.
However, sporadic clashes continued at different lanes in the area till 3:15 pm.
Pallabi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Parvez said the agitation started after activists of both parties were moving toward the rally spot.
“The situation is under control now and the BNP activist could not hold a rally after the clash,” he added.
Contacted, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone Arif Hossain said that clashes took place centering on the BNP's rally.
Earlier on September 10, BNP announced to hold public rallies in 16 spots under its Dhaka south and north city units until September 27 in protest against the increase in prices of essentials, fuel and transport fares and the killing of its leaders and activists.
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
