A Dhaka court on Wednesday sent 18 activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to jail in connection with a violent clash between the party activists and the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) members during back-to-back march programs of the opposition party and student wing of ruling Awami League in front of Mirpur Bangla College on Tuesday.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Rajesh Chowdhury passed the order after the police produced the accused to court.
The BNP activists are Md Dulal, Mohammad Arju, Monir alias Kasai Monir, Helal Majhi, Zakir Hossain, Nurul Islam Khokon, Dulal, Nazrul Islam, Mainul Hossain alias Shubho, Sumon, Shahidul Islam, Lokman, Limon Bhuiyan, Russell, Abu Saleh alias ATM Oliul Hasnat, Mohammad Ali, Monir Hossain, and Biplab Dewan.
The conflict took place when a procession by BNP activists arrived at the front of Mirpur Bangla College as part of their nationwide march, sparking a clash with BCL supporters.
Following a series of violent confrontations, a motorcycle and a bicycle were torched amid brawls involving sticks.
BNP leaders alleged that the followers of the Chhatra League of Mirpur Bangla College hurled brick chips at their procession and attacked the party's peaceful road march when it reached the college.
Meanwhile, the Chhatra League activists claimed that the BNP supporters suddenly carried out an attack on the college.
Dozens of students were injured in the clash, they added.
On information, law enforcers rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control around 12:30pm.
Later, Darus Salam police station registered two separate cases against 400-500 unidentified individuals, along with 118 named BNP activists.