Police chase away BNP activists, who attempted to bring out a procession, from in front of the party office in Barisal city yesterday. Photo: Arifur Rahman Police yesterday foiled the BNP's demonstrations in different districts, including Gazipur where they opened fire injuring around 30 people during a clash with the party activists. A schoolboy, two pedestrians and a female councillor of Gazipur
City Corporation are among the injured. The BNP on Saturday announced the demonstrations at all cities and district headquarters for yesterday to protest the government's “autocratic decision not to allow” a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan to mark “the national revolution and solidarity day.” BNP Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed told the press at the party's Nayapaltan central office yesterday evening that the government's “autocratic attitude” was reflected in the action of police who did not allow them to hold processions in any district. In Gazipur, the procession led by Mayor Abdul Mannan started from the district BNP office on Rajbari Road around noon and was heading for Joydevpur rail gate area, reports our correspondent. Scuffles broke out as police obstructed the procession, witnesses said, adding that BNP men at one stage started throwing brickbats at police. Besides, several homemade bombs were blasted. It prompted police to fire over 20 gunshots and a few teargas shells. Advertisement The injured were taken to local hospitals. The schoolboy was identified as Md Meraz, 14, who was on his way home during the clash. Salauddin Sarker, president of Gazipur Sramik Dal, said police attacked them without any provocation. The allegation was rejected by Officer-in-Charge Khandaker Rezaul Karim of Joydevpur Police Station. Police also dispersed BNP activists at Narsingdi, Munshiganj, Barisal and Bagerhat by using truncheons when the party tried to bring out processions. Talking to The Daily Star, Barisal Metropolitan Police Commissioner Shaibal Kanti Chowdhury said police did not allow BNP men to hold processions considering public security as they feared intruders from Jamaat-Shibir might create anarchy. Narsingdi Sadar Police OC Station Abul Khayer Fakir echoed Shaibal's view. Police in different parts of the country also barred Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir from holding demonstrations demanding release of arrested leaders of the party.
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