Ten people, including three cops, were injured in a clash between the police and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activists in Rangpur during a rally on Friday.
Despite the announcement to commence the rally at 3pm on Friday, Rangpur BNP defied the schedule and began their rally around 4pm, setting up a stage in front of their party office near the Grand Hotel intersection of the city, police and locals said.
As leaders and activists from various parts of the district were marching towards the rally, the police intervened. At that time, the BNP men and police engaged in scuffles.
BNP leaders claim that seven of their party members were injured in the clash.
The police, on the other hand, asserted that they only intervened when the protesters tried to block the main road, causing a disruption to traffic.
Meanwhile, police officers claimed that they were attacked by a group of party members, which left three of them injured.
BNP Vice-Chairman Nitai Roy Chowdhury was present at the rally as a chief guest.
In his speech, Chowdhury emphasized that the BNP would not participate in any elections under the current government.
Through continued protests, BNP intends to force the government to step down, he added.
