5 shot in clash between police, BNP men in Cox's Bazar

At one stage, police fired bullets on them and brought the situation under control.

At least five BNP leaders sustained bullet injuries in a clash between BNP supporters and police at Pekua upazila in Cox's Bazar district on Saturday afternoon.

The clash broke out at around 5pm in Sikderpara area under the upazila.

The injured are the president of Pekua Upazila Juba Dal Kamran Jadid Mukut, another Jubal Dal leader Joynal; Chatra Dal leader Rifat, Tahinul Karim, and Sakib.

According to witnesses, a group 40-50 BNP men brought out protest march against the national poll in the afternoon. At that time, a clash broke out between the law enforcers and BNP activists when police tried to obstruct them.

At one stage, police fired bullets on them and brought the situation under control.

Shahnewaj Azad, joint general secretary of Pekua upazila BNP unit, said,"We were protesting the one-sided election peacefully. At that time, police charged baton on us and fired bullets, leaving at least five leaders shot."

On the other hand, Pekua Police Station officer-in-charge Mohammad Eliyas said BNP activists attcked on them suddenly. At that time, they had to fire bullets to bring the situation under control.

Leagl action would be taken in this regard, added the OC.