At least 20 people, including Moulvibazar district BNP President and former Member of Parliament (MP) from Moulvibazar-3, M Naser Rahman, were injured in a clash between Awami League and BNP over BNP's human chain programme in Moulvibazar on Saturday, reports UNB.
The injured were treated at various local private clinics.
Foyzul Karim Mayun, former mayor and vice-president of Moulvibazar district BNP, said during the preparations for their human chain in front of Kashinath Alauddin High School and College in the town around 1pm, activists of Chhatra League and Jubo League attacked with indigenous weapons, leaving 15 of their leaders and activists injured.
Syed Rezaul Karim Sumon, former general secretary of District Jubo League, said, "We were holding a peace march from Shaheed Minar as part of the central programme. Suddenly, someone threw a brickbat in the procession igniting the clash."
Later, brickbat pelting started between the two sides.
Five Chhatra League and Jubo League members were also injured in the clash. Two vehicles were also vandalized.
Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Sylhet City mayor and central BNP executive member, was the chief guest in the human chain which was organised as a part of BNP's country-wide programme with 10-point demands, including the protest of abnormal increases in electricity price, price hikes of daily necessities, elections under a non-partisan neutral government by abolishing the current parliament and unconditional release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the clash under control, said Hasan Mohammad Naser Rikabder, additional superintendent of Moulvibazar police.
"Culprits will be identified after watching the video footage and action will be taken against those involved in the clash," he added.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
