August 31, 2022
BANGLADESH – BNP leaders and activists came under attacks allegedly by the Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League men during its countrywide demonstrations yesterday protesting the price hike of essentials and fuel.
At least 15 BNP men were injured in clashes with the ruling party men and police, they said.
In Feni, a motorcade of BNP leaders, led by Vice-chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo, came under attack near Iqbal Memorial College road in Daganbhuiyan upazila around 4:00pm yesterday, alleged Akbar Hossen, president of Daganbhuiyan Upazila BNP.
BCL and JL men carried out the attack when the BNP leaders were heading towards Alaiarpur Primary School to join a protest rally.
At least 15 BNP activists were injured in separate attacks in Daganbhuiyan, claimed Akbar.
Daganbhuiyan municipality’s Mayor Omar Faruk, also the general secretary of the municipality unit AL, denied the allegations.
He said his party activists took position in some areas of the upazila so that no untoward incident occurs.
Earlier on the day, police fired teargas shells during an hour-long clash between BNP activists and law enforcers in Feni town’s Paschim Bazar area.
Police claimed that the clash broke out when BNP supporters, who gathered there to join a protest rally, threw brick chunks at them.
Khaled Hossen, officer-in-charge of Sonagazi Model Police Station, said they used teargas shells to bring the situation under control.
Police filed a case against 100 people, including 50 unnamed, in connection with the clash, the OC added.
In Natore’s Singra upazila, BNP leaders alleged that AL activists attacked Jubo Dal leader Tipu Sultan, leaving him injured.
They also alleged that police obstructed party men from bringing out a procession to join a protest rally in the district town.
In Narayanganj, Rupganj upazila BNP alleged that JL leaders vandalised a hotel owned by Omar Hossen, general secretary of Golakandail Union Parishad in Rupganj.
BNP leaders and activists in Rangamati held protests defying section 144 as police were seen taking a soft stance on the demonstrations.
The Rangamati district administration imposed section 144 barring all from holding any programme as both the BNP and the AL declared holding rallies at the same venue.
The ban was imposed in Juraichari, Langadu, and Kaptai upazilas of Rangamati and in Ramgor upazila of Khagrachhari. Local BNP men, however, organised rallies in those areas defying the ban.
In Narsingdi, police filed a case against 223 people including BNP’s former lawmaker Sardar Shakhawat Hossain Bokul last night on charges of attacking police, vandalising properties, and exploding cocktails on Sunday.
Of the accused, 73 are named BNP men and 150 unnamed.