BNP leaders and activists clashed with police in Naogaon. More than 50 BNP leaders and activists, including police, were injured. The incident took place in front of the BNP party office at KD junction in the city around 12 noon on Tuesday. Police have arrested six people in the incident.
The arrested are Mukul Hossain (45), Rentu Hossain (44), Sahidul Islam (46), Alauddin Babu (50), Anwar Hossain (50) and Enamul Haque (32).
According to eyewitnesses and police sources, as part of the central program, BNP leaders and activists led by district BNP convener Hafizur Rahman tried to take out a protest procession in front of the party office at around 12 noon. When some policemen present at the time tried to stop them, a scuffle broke out between the police and BNP leaders and activists. At one stage, when the baton charge started, the BNP leaders and activists dispersed. Shortly after the incident, BNP leaders and activists gathered again and started throwing bricks at the police from the east side of the party office. Police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and blank shots to control the situation. The BNP leaders and activists clashed with the police for at least 20 minutes. As a result, traffic was stopped at the bridge junction, College junction and KD junction. Later, when additional police personnel were deployed from Naogaon Sadar Police Station and Police Lines, the BNP leaders and activists left the road.
District BNP convener Hafizur Rahman said, “As part of the central program, we try to take out a protest procession in front of the party office.” But the police started beating the BNP leaders and activists without any reason. When the BNP leaders and activists took position in front of the party office from the KD junction area, the police fired tear shells, rubber bullets and bullets. At least 30 to 40 leaders and activists of the party including me were injured. Kohinoor Islam Mili, joint secretary of the district Juba Dal, and Azizul Islam, joint secretary of the district Chhatra Dal, were taken to the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital with serious injuries. Others have been admitted to various clinics including Naogaon Sadar Hospital.
Additional Superintendent of Police Rakibul Akhter said, “BNP leaders and activists tried to take out the procession without permission.” When they tried to take the procession through the busiest road, the members present tried to stop them. At that time, BNP leaders and activists started throwing bricks at the police. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to control the situation. Six to seven policemen were injured in the attack by BNP leaders and activists. The case is being prepared and efforts are being made to arrest the culprits.Meanwhile, former district BNP general secretary Zahidul Islam Dhalu said police, led by Additional Superintendent of Police Rakibul Akter, raided the Anbesha Nishan Club in the Taj Mor area of Naogaon around 2pm after clashes between BNP leaders and activistsDetains six.
