20 BNP men, women hurt as police open fire to stop Gaibandha rally

20 BNP men, women hurt as police open fire to stop Gaibandha rally

At least 20 BNP leaders and activists including  president and general secretary  of Gaibandha chapter Mahila Dal were injured in as police opened fire to stop rally sans permission in Gaibandha town on Friday afternoon.

Farida Yasmin Shobha, president of Gaibandha District BNP Mahila Dal, General Secretary Moushumi Begum Toma, Joint General Secretary Sultana Khandkar Moni and President of District Chhatra Dal unit Zakaria Khandkar Jim were among the injured.

Mahmudunnabi Titul, general secretary of Gaibandha District BNP unit, said “On the occasion of the founding anniversary of BNP, after a day-long program at the BNP office, a procession of BNP went out and circled the town this afternoon.When the procession reached Gaibandha town area, police obstructed them."

Refusing to be deterred by the police barricade, the BNP procession attempted to move forward, and police responded with a baton charge, resulting in a clash between law enforcers and BNP leaders and activists.

Police fired tear gas shells and bullets, leaving 20 leaders and activists of the BNP injured, claimed the BNP leader.

The injured are receiving treatment at various clinics and hospitals in Gaibandha.

Meanwhile, the police raided and arrested 5 people from the BNP office in connection with the clash.

Masud Rana, officer-in-charge (OC) of Gaibandha Sadar Police Station said, BNP took out a procession in the town without permission and the clash broke out when police tried to stop them.

However, it is not possible to tell at this moment how many rounds of tear gas shells and bullets have been fired, added the OC. - UNB