BNP staged demonstration across the country peacefully except for Gazipur protesting the denial of holding rally at Suhrawardy Udyan to mark the National Revolution and Solidarity day.
Dhaka city unit BNP, however, through a press release claimed that they staged demonstrations almost every wards.
BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, however, at a press briefing at party’s Naya Paltan office condemned police attack on “peaceful demonstration” and claimed many were arrested but did not mention any figure.
In Gazipur, BNP leaders were locked in clashes with police while law enforcers barred them from bringing out protest procession in the city leading to chase and counter-chase.
The clash left around 30 people injured including Gazipur City Corporation Mayor MA Mannan and some police officials.
Witnesses said around 12pm, city Mayor Mannan brought out a procession and police obstructed it leading to the eruption of violence injuring 30 including 17 police officials.
Police detained four persons from the spot.
Gazipur district BNP leader Shahiduzzaman said around 12.15pm police attacked their peaceful rally all on a sudden and shot fire on the procession leaving more than 50 injured.
Witnesses said the chase and counter-chase between police and BNP leaders and activists continued for half an hour.
Khandakar Rezaul Karim, Officer-in-Charge of Gazipur police station, said: “Protesters blockaded Rajbari Road and vehicle movement came to a halt. Moreover they threw brick at policemen and vandalised some vehicles.”
Karim also said at least 17 police officials were injured during the violence.
He also said police fired 20 rounds of rubber bullets and three rounds of tear gas shells to bring the situation under control and four were detained from the spot.
Abdus Salam Sarkar, on-duty doctor of Gazipur Sadar Hospital, said injured Ward Councillor Sirin Chakladar and five others received splinter injuries and they were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment.
Our Barisal correspondent said, police prevented Barisal city and district units of BNP from bringing out procession.
BNP activists from different corners of the city chanting slogans assembled in front of the party office on Ashwini Kumar Hall premises about 11am yesterday.
Mojibor Rahman Sarwar, city president and central Organising Secretary Ebaidul Huq Chan, district president and other leaders of the BNP addressed the rally.
After the rally when BNP leaders and activists tried to bring out procession police obstructed them.
Sub-Inspector Mohiuddin of Kotwali police station from the spot denied the allegation of police atrocities.
Police requested BNP leaders and activists not to block traffic movement on city roads but as they did not pay heed they had to force them to leave the place, he said.