8 injured and 2 detained at BNP protest in Barisal

Two BNP leaders have been detained and at least eight were injured on Saturday, as BNP activists clashed with police in Barisal town during the party’s demonstration against the arrest warrants issued for BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in three cases. Members of BNP’s Barisal city unit assembled in front of the party’s office at the Aswani Kumar Hall premises at around 11 am. Police halted a procession, led by Joint Secretary of local Swechhasebak League Mir Zahidul Kabir, when it was approaching the assembly. After arguments ensued, police at one stage charged them with batons In addition, police also charged batons on another procession at Barisal Sadar Road of the city. A chase and counter-chase took place during the melee. The protesters have vandalised a number of small vehicles and many local shops. Eight protesters were injured during the clashes, and police have detained Mir Zahidul Kabir and Joint Convener Mahbubur Rahman Pintu. The protest resumed when President of Barisal BNP Mujibur Rahman Sarwar, also joint secretary of the Barisal Central Committee of BNP, arrived at the party office. Sarwar said: “The government has lost its mind. BNP will not be kept down by weapons and law suits,” he added.