The police have detained 20 leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami when they locked into a clash with police in Harishpur area of Natore.
Witnesses said the leaders and activists of Jamaat brought out a procession, protesting Latif Siddique's remarks on hajj. When they reached the Chakrampur area, the police barred them to move forward, triggering an altercation between the Jamaat men and the police.
The clash ensued as the Jamaat members hurled brick chips at the law enforcers. In retaliation, the police also lobbed teargas shells and fired rubber bullets on the Jamaat-Shibir men, said locals.
After the clash, the protesters blocked the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway around 5pm. Later, RAB-5 joined with the police and started a raid in the area and held 20 people.
Officer-in-Charge of Natore Sadar police station Faridul Islam said: “The joint forces have arrested Jamaat-e-Islam district Ameer Yunus Ali, Sadar police station Ameer Nurunnabi and Labour Welfare Federation President Meer Nurul Islam along with seventeen activists after the clash in the area.”
Jamaat-e-Islam district Ameer Yunus Ali claimed that at least five to six members were injured during the police firing.
