At least 13 individuals were injured in a clash between Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and police in Dashmina upazila of Patuakhali.
The clash erupted at 12:30pm on Friday in Pujakhola area of the Sadar union.
Dashmina unit BNP General Secretary Shah Alam Shanu said their peaceful march, organized to commemorate BNP's 45th founding anniversary, was stopped by the police when it reached the Dashmina court.
“This led to escalated tensions and the BNP members moving forward, at which point the police reportedly attacked and carried out a baton charge,” he said.
Several BNP activists including Ibrahim, Sayad Roni, and Abu Taher, among others, were injured and subsequently hospitalized, he added.
Patuakhali Assistant Superintendent of Police Md Morshed Toha said BNP members blocked the road, disrupting communication.
“They threw bricks at the police, injuring officers like Nazmul, Jakir, and Sikatur. The police responded with baton charge and detained two BNP members,” he said.
“A police investigation into the incident is ongoing,” he added.
Former joint general secretary of upazila BNP Howladar Md Ifzias Uddin Joy criticized the police’s aggression, noting they had obtained permission for their procession.
