Supporters of the BNP and Bangladesh Chhatra League clashed in the capital while the opposition party engaged in a brawl with the Awami League and the police in many districts on Tuesday, with a Juba Dal leader killed in Lakshmipur.
The clashes came as the BNP and its allies launched a nationwide march as part of the opposition party's one-point movement centering the next general election.
In Dhaka, the clash started around 11:30am when BNP supporters reached the front of Mirpur Bangla College as part of their march program. The brawl lasted for an hour.
Several people, presumably supporters of both political organizations, and media workers were injured in the brawl as chases and counter-chases took place
A motorbike and a bicycle were set on fire at that time, witnesses said.
The BNP started the march towards Old Dhaka from Gabtoli Bus Station around 11:20am.
BNP leaders alleged that the followers of the Chhatra League of the Bangla College unit hurled brick chips at their procession and attacked the party's peaceful road march when it reached near the college.
But the ruling party's student wing alleged that the BNP supporters suddenly carried out an attack in the college, leaving dozens of students injured.
On information, law enforcers rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control around 12:30pm.
“The clash took place due to the instigation of both sides. However, no one has been arrested so far,” said Aminul Bashar, officer-in-charge (OC) of Darussalam police station.
Harun-or-Rashid, chief of Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), warned of stern action against those who burnt the motorcycle during BNP's march at Mirpur.
Briefing the media at the DMP media centre, he said: "Millions of Dhaka commuters suffer a lot due to this march. So, political parties should think about public suffering before announcing this type of program.”
In Lakshmipur, the deceased is Md Sajib Hossain, the general secretary of the Charshahi Union Parishad of the Sadar Upazila.
Fifty people were injured in sporadic clashes between the leaders and activists of the BNP and the Awami League and the police.
Sahib was found dead after a clash at Samad Mor, police said, adding that the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Police said they fired tear-gas shells and rubber bullets alongside baton-charging to control the situation.
In Tangail, the police detained three BNP leaders on the suspicion of trying to create chaos over their political programme.
Meanwhile, Jubo Dal leader Ruhul Amin Sarkar died of suspected heat stroke in Mymensingh during BNP's march.
In Feni, BNP supporters clashed with the police. At least 30 people, including journalists, were injured during the brawl.
Police lobbed tear-gas shells and fired rubber bullets to disperse the agitators.
In Joypurhat, 30 people were injured when the supporters of the two major parties clashed. A local office of the BNP was vandalized allegedly by the Awami League men.
In Bogra, similar clashes between BNP supporters and the police left dozens injured.
In Noakhali, BNP leaders alleged that the police forcibly foiled their peaceful march. Police denied the allegation.
In Pirojpur, nine policemen and 12 BNP leaders and activists were injured after clashes between them.
In Kishoreganj, scores of people were injured in a BNP-police clash.
In Rajbari, two factions of the BNP clashed in the Rajbari municipal area. At least 10 people were injured in the incident.
The factions are led by Harun Or Rashid, former general secretary of the Rajbari district unit BNP, and Ali Newaz Mahmud Kyum, former lawmaker from Rajbari-1 constituency.