AL-BNP clash in Patuakhali leaves 30 injured

At least 30 people, including activists of Awami League (AL), Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), journalists and police personnel, were injured in a clash between the two parties over holding a rally in Sadar upazila of Patuakhali on Saturday.

Police used teargas to disperse the fighting groups while an additional number of law enforcers have been deployed in the area to avert any untoward incident.

Local BNP leaders said there was a scheduled rally to press home their 10-point demand, including the resignation of the incumbent government and holding the next parliamentary election under a neutral government, in front of the party office in Patuakhali's town's Banani intersection area at 10 am.

BNP activists and leaders from different parts of the district started gathering with processions in the early morning, they said, adding that they were barred by the ruling party activists on their way to the rally venue.

A clash broke out between the activists of the parties when an AL procession was passing by, witnesses said.

Brickbats were thrown targeting each other, while BNP’s district office was also vandalised. The rival groups chased each other several times in the area, causing panic among the commuters and locals.

BNP central leader ABM Mosharraf Hossain said at least 25 BNP activists were injured in the attack by AL men.

Md Saidul Islam, superintendent of police (SP), said, the situation is now under control and an additional number of policemen have been deployed in front of the BNP office in the town.