Police detained 29 activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), a student wing of BNP, from different areas in the capital as they attempted to hold a rally without prior permission.
The activists were going to observe the sixth anniversary of BNP Senior Vice-chairman Tarique Rahman’s release from jail.
Sources said, JCD had made an announcement about holding a rally on Monday at the Suhrawardi Uddyan. It also sought permission from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) in this regard, but the latter rejected its prayer on “security grounds.”
Despite the refusal, JCD activists held on to their plan to hold the rally. As they tried to cross the police barricade meant to thwart their processions – near Motsho Bhaban, Bijoynagar and National Press Club – a clash ensued, leaving several people injured.
Shirajul Islam, the officer in charge of Shahbag police station, said 17 activists were detained from the Motsho Bhaban area and four others from in front of the press club.
Police also detained eight more activists from Bijoynagar.
In this regard, Shibli Noman, a senior assistant commissioner at the Ramna division of DMP, said police put up barricades before the JCD processions on security grounds.