Over 50 people, including policemen and journalists, were injured in several clashes between BNP activists and the law enforcers in Rangpur city.
The incident was reported from the district’s Sadar upazila on Tuesday afternoon.
Police told Dhaka Tribune that the BNP brought out a procession to protest the incidents of recent deaths, clashes, enforced disappearances and price hike in Bangladesh. The procession was led by Gangachara upazila unit BNP President Wahiduzzaman Mabu at around 5pm.
However, police barred the procession when it reached Takwa Mashjid area, resulting in a clash.
The BNP said police fired over 100 rounds of tear gas, and assaulted the activists.
After that, several incidents of chase and counter-chase took place between the BNP activists and police.
Five police officers, including SI Salam, as well as Dainik Sangbad correspondent Sujan Ahmmed, Manab Zamin correspondent Abdul Bari, and four other journalists were injured during the clashes.
In this regard, local BNP President Wahiduzzaman Mabu said the party had talked to the police before holding the peaceful procession.
“However, when the rally was held, the police attacked the BNP activists,” he complained.
Mabu added that upazila unit BNP Secretary General Akhiruzzaman Shiron, Bangladesh Chhatra Dal General Secretary Sharif Newaz Joha and Organizing Secretary Nazim Uddin Liju were seriously injured during the clashes. They are being treated in different hospitals of the upazila.
Meanwhile, Gangachara police station Officer-in-Charge Dulal said the BNP had attacked and injured five officers by throwing brickbats at them.