At least 12 BNP activists were injured in a clash with police that erupted during the party's sit-in in Khulna on Saturday.
Nitai Roy Chowdhury, vice chairman of the BNP's central committee, said they were peacefully observing their pre-announced sit-in in front of their party office around 3.30pm when they came under attack by the police.
The law enforcement officers fired teargas and rubber bullets, leaving 12 BNP leaders and activists injured, Nitai Roy said in a press briefing at the party office after the clash.
"We had to fire five rounds of rubber bullets and seven rounds of teargas shells to bring the situation under control,” said Md Tajul Islam, deputy commissioner (South) of the Khulna Metropolitan Police.
Later, police surrounded the BNP office on KD Ghosh Road, confining hundreds of activists, including central leaders of the BNP. The police arrested five BNP activists in connection with the clash.
Meanwhile, the police detained seven BNP leaders and activists, including Khulna BNP Convener Abu Sayed in Rajshahi during their sit-in there.
The other detainees are Prof Mozaffar Hossain, member secretary of Paba upazila unit BNP, Kamruzzaman Mridha, general secretary of Charghat upazila Lakshmipur Union unit BNP, Shalua Degree College teacher Emdadul Haque, Swapan of Bagha upazila, Munir Hossain of Bagmara's Ramrama village, and Aminul Islam of Godagari.
As part of the movement to oust the government, the BNP, its associate bodies and like-minded parties observed two-hour sit-ins in all divisional cities and district towns on Saturday to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
