BNP men ‘attack cops, snatch’ fellows from prison van in Dhaka

--2 BNP men snatched from prison van

--2 rifles of police broken

-- Prison van vandalised

-- 69 detained

Two activists of BNP were “snatched away” by the party men from a prison van near the High Court area in Dhaka this afternoon, police said.

BNP men also attacked the law enforcers, vandalised the prison van and broke two rifles of police, said Maruf Hossain Sorder, deputy commissioner (Ramna division) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

According to witnesses, the BNP activists got furious and attacked the police officials after a procession from Bakshibazar area merged with them when BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was returning from a makeshift court after appearing before it in Zia Charitable Trust corruption case on Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Photo: Amran Hossain/ STAR

The law enforcers detained the duo after over 300 leaders and activists of BNP gathered High Court Mazargate area and staged demonstration when the party chairperson was returning her residence in Gulshan through the area from a court at Bakshibazar around 3:30 pm.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was returning from a makeshift court after appearing before it in Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.

Some police personnel sustained injuries as the BNP activists attacked the law enforcers near the High Court area in Dhaka on Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Photo: Amran Hossain/ STAR

The BNP activists got furious after a procession from Bakshibazar area merged with them at that time, witnesses said.

Claiming that police always show much patience while dealing with such chaotic situation, the police official said the BNP men swooped on the law enforcers without any reason.

The BNP activists broke two rifles of police as they attacked the law enforcers near the High Court area in Dhaka on Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Photo: Amran Hossain/ STAR

Some police personnel sustained injuries in the attack, he claimed.

On August 8, 2011, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case with Tejgaon Police Station, accusing four people, including Khaleda, of raising funds for the Zia Charitable Trust from unknown sources through abuse of power.

The BNP men also vandalised a prison van as they snatched two of their fellow activists from the police by attacking the law enforcers near the High Court area in Dhaka on Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Photo: Amran Hossain/ STAR

Meanwhile, the court is set to deliver its verdict on February 8 against Khaleda Zia and five others in connection with Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case brewing tension as the verdict might put the BNP chief out of the upcoming election.