DHAKA, Feb 28, 2021 (BSS) – The law enforcement agency and pro-BNP Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) today locked in a series of clashes in front of the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) leaving several BNP activists and police members injured, police and eye accounts said.
The clash ensued centering a JCD protest rally, what police say an uninformed and unapproved gathering from where they (BNP activists) threw brickbats to the police personnel at about 11 am.
Meanwhile, a senior BNP leader alleged that police swooped on their peaceful gathering and charged batons and teargas shell to disperse the rally, scheduled to be held in front of the Press Club protesting writer Mushtaq Ahmed’s death and pressing home their two other demands.
Witnesses said the chase began at about 11 am. Leaders and activists of BNP and Chhatra Dal threw brickbats upon the police and also went on rampage in the surrounding areas
Later, police chased the BNP activists, who took position in front of the JPC after coming out from the Press Club. Police fired blank shots and tear gas shells to disperse BNP and Chhatra Dal leaders and activists.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Ramna Zone Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sajjadur Rahman told BSS that the important road in front of the National Press Club cannot be blocked without permission.
He said anyone can demonstrate inside the Jatiya Press Club without permission but the JCD men were not allowed to assemble outside the club.
The DC added: “The BNP and JCD men did not take any permission to hold a rally here. They took to the streets with 400-500 workers from inside the Jatiya Press Club without permission and attacked on police.”
Seven to eight police members received injuries in the attack, the DC said , adding, “Some people have been taken into custody.”
Claiming the attack a pre-planned one, Sajjadur Rahman said, “There were not so many bricks inside the Press Club. But how come so many bricks there?
Meanwhile officer-in-charge (OC) of Shahbag police station Mamumur Rashid told BSS that ten people were detained in connection with the attack on the police.
Legal action will be taken in this connection, the OC added.