Over 150 people, including police officers, have been injured in clashes reported in Sylhet and Narayanganj, during the nationwide mass processions organized by the opposition BNP, to press home its demand for the unconditional release of party chief Khaleda Zia.
In Sylhet, over 100 people, including several cops, were injured as the activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and police locked into a clash in the Shaestanagar area in Sylhet’s Habiganj town.
As part of the pre-announced program, BNP leaders and activists from nine upazilas of the district started gathering in and around the residence of BNP Joint Convener and former municipal mayor GK Gaus in the afternoon.
The BNP leaders and activists started the march from the Shaestanagar Bazar area at around 5pm. However, when they reached the Water Development Board office, police allegedly obstructed them.
Refusing to be deterred by the police barricade, the BNP procession attempted to move forward, leading to a clash between law enforcement officers and party men.
During the chase and counter-chase, agitated BNP men threw bricks at the police. Later, police fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets to take the situation under control.
Several cops including Habiganj Officer-in-Charge Ajay Dev were injured during the clash, said Badiuzzaman, OC (Investigation).
“We are still at the scene to avoid any untoward situation, " he added.
Joint convener of district BNP GK Gaus said: "When we were going home after completing the march peacefully, the police led by OC Ajay attacked us, leaving our 100 leaders and activists injured.”
Among the injured, municipal BNP General Secretary Awal’s condition is critical, he added.
Without going to the hospital, he alleged that the injured are receiving treatment secretly to avoid arrest.
Meanwhile, in Narayanganj, a clash took place between BNP leaders, activists, and the police in Kanchpur, Narayanganj.
The BNP activists petaled bricks at the police and several cars were vandalized.
Later, to bring the situation under control, the police dispersed them by firing tear gas and rubber bullets.
At least 50 people have been injured during the clash and among them, 17 people were shot.
Traffic on Dhaka-Sylhet and Dhaka-Chittagong highways remained suspended for about half an hour.
District BNP General Secretary Golam Faruk Khokon said: "When we brought out a peaceful road march, the police came and charged us with batons. Police fired tear gas and bullets at our leaders and activists. Many of our leaders and workers have been injured.”
Narayanganj Additional Superintendent of Police Chailai Marma said the district BNP wanted to hold a program on the highway without seeking permission.
“When we asked them to leave the highway, they threw bricks at us. Later, we fired 20 rounds of rubber bullets and teargas shells to disperse them.”
The leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies have started a road march from Naya Paltan to Moghbazar in the capital to press home their demand for the unconditional release of party chief Khaleda Zia and her advanced treatment abroad.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir formally inaugurated the program around 4:15pm.
Our Sylhet correspondent Serajul Islam, and Narayanganj correspondent Shamima Rita contributed to this report
