Activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir, student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, on Monday clashed with police across the capital and different districts in the country leaving around 60 people including 13 policemen injured.
During the clashes, police fired gunshots and teargas canisters alongside charging batons while Shibir men vandalised a large number of vehicles, exploded crude bombs and threw brick chips at the lawmen, who detained around 15 Shibir men.
The clashes took places when the Shibir men brought out processions as part of their earlier scheduled programme to stage demonstrations protesting the Supreme Court and the International Crimes Tribunal verdict against Jamaat leaders in connection with war crimes.
In capital: The Shibir men clashed with the police in Elephant Road, New Market and Jatrabari areas where around 15 people, including two policemen, were injured and some 10 Shibir men detained.
The clashes left the transport movement on the roads in the area suspended for around one hour creating traffic jam and panic among the commuters, witnesses said.
According to witnesses, the first clash took place in New Elephant Road around 2pm and then New Market and Jatrabari around 2pm when around 20 vehicles were damaged and some 20 crude bombs exploded.
“Police went into action charging batons to disperse the unruly Shibir men who damaged vehicles, exploded bombs that created traffic jam and panic among commuters,” said Yiasir Arafat, officer-in-charge of New Market police station.
In Feni: At least 15 people including six policemen were injured in a clash between police and Shibir men at Sonagai upazila of the district. At least 10 vehicles were damaged. During the clash, chases and counter chases took place among them turning the area into a battle field and forcing the business establishments shut around 1pm.
Subhash Chandra Paul, OC of Sonagazi police station, said Shibir brought out a procession despite restriction and at least six policemen were injured in the clash. On the other hand, Sonagazi Jamaat Chief Md Mostofa said police meddled with their peaceful procession leaving at least 10 of them injured.
In Chandpur: A clash between police and Shibir men in the town left at least 10 people injured while five of the Shibir men were detained.
The clash took place in the bus terminal area around 10 when police fired 14 rounds of bullets apart from charging batons.
In Satkhira: Jamaat and Shibir men brought a procession in the judge court area of the town and exploded several crude bombs causing a panic among the locals.
OC Shahjahan Ali of the Sadar police station said the Jamaat-Shibir men fled the scene before police reached the spot.
In Sylhet: Jamaat-Shibir men beat up a policeman and vandalised at least 12 vehicles in the city’s Bandarbazar area from where police detained 16 Jamaat-Shibir men, reports UNB.
The victim was identified as Humayun, a sub-inspector of Shahporan police station. Witnesses said about 60-70 Jamaat-Shibir activists brought out a procession from the area around 10am as part of their central programme.
As the procession reached Karim Ullah Market the unruly activists beat up SI Humayun mercilessly and vandalised his motorbike. Later, they vandalised 12 other vehicles.
In Rajshahi: At least 10 people, including two policemen, were injured as Jamaat-Shibir activists clashed with police at Sahebbazar of the city.
Shibir brought out a procession in the area around 11am when they hurled two crude bombs and brick chips at police leading to a clash while the lawmen fired rubber bullets and tear shells.
