The major opposition political party BNP has called a nationwide hartal (strike) from dawn to dusk on Sunday to protest against the police action in breaking up anti-government protests in Dhaka's Kakrail area on Saturday
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that the strike would start at 6am and continue till 6pm during the party’s rally at Naya Paltan on Saturday. Shortly afterwards, the rally was broken up by tear gas and flashbang grenades lobbed by police.
When contacted, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Rahul Kabir Rizvi said the hartal was announced in protest against the police attack and the injuries to numerous leaders and activists during the peaceful grand rally organized by the BNP
Referring to the clashes, BNP Executive Committee Member Tabith Awal said: “This is not violence, this is police atrocity and abuse. The conflict and provocation today is giving a message that the police are nervous, and the AL acknowledges it has lost the support of the people completely.”
Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said: “Today they are taking away democratic, political, and constitutional rights by attacking, shooting and killing peaceful gatherings. Who are they? They are partners involved in vote rigging. They cannot be allowed to go free in any way.”
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir reportedly fell ill due to the tear gas after coming down from the stage following the strike announcement.
BNP sources said law enforcement raided the rally area at around 2:30pm, sending the party’s leaders and workers scattering in different directions.
The areas surrounding the capital's Nightingale intersection and Nayapaltan area turned into a battlefield as BNP men waged a pitched battle with police for more than two hours on Saturday..
