25 injured in cop action in 2 districts

Police charged truncheons on processions of BNP and its associate bodies in Narayanganj and Barisal yesterday injuring at least 25 activists and leaders.

The processions were brought out to protest against the issuance of arrest warrants for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in two cases filed in connection with Zia Orphanage Trust corruption and undermining the country's map and the national flag.

At least 15 activists of Narayanganj district Jubo Dal, including its president, were injured when police charged truncheons on their procession in Narayanganj yesterday.

BNP leaders and activists said they brought out the procession around 4:00pm from Dewvog area but police stopped them and tried to take away their banner when they reached the DIT commercial area.

Police started charging truncheons on them when they tried to continue with their procession breaking through the police barricade, they said.

Inspector Abdur Razzak of Narayanganj Model Police Station said Police permitted them to stage a peaceful procession but their procession was obstructing public movement.

Police dispersed them as they were making provocative speeches from the procession.

Meanwhile, at least 10 BNP leaders and activists were injured in Barisal after police charged truncheons on their procession on Sadar Road of the city, reports our Barisal correspondent.

Police detained seven BNP activists from the spot while they were allegedly vandalising an auto-rickshaw.

Awlad Hossain, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station, said, “We foiled their attempt as they brought out a procession blocking the Sadar Road.

In Rajshahi, police twice foiled attempts of Rajshahi City Unit BNP to bring out another procession.

However, some Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal men brought out a procession at the Loknath School intersection but it was intercepted by police at Malopara.

Police also obstructed processions brought out by some leaders and activists of BNP, Chhatra Dal and other units at Malopara intersection.

Later, BNP leaders held a brief rally on the road, protesting the police action.

Aman Ullah, office-in-charge of Boalia Police Station, claimed that they had prevented the procession as there was intelligence information of subversive activities.