BNP men bar Barisal AL caravan to Tungipara

More than 300 leaders and activists of the AL who were on their way to Tungipara to attend functions at the memorial of Bangabandhu were forcibly sent back to the town yesterday morning, they said.

They started the journey boarding 12 buses and microbuses but had to come back about two hours later as the BNP activists stopped them at Doarika Bridge near Barisal Airport, they further said.

The AL held a protest rally at Amtala crossing in the city and brought out a procession.

Participants in the procession damaged one microbus and four autorickshaws.

A criminal case in this connection was lodged against 37 AL leaders and workers including City AL Convener Shawkat Hossain Hiron.

At a press conference later, AL leaders alleged that the ruling alliance was out to foil the 'mourning day' programmes.

AL leaders alleged that BNP cadre Wahidul Islam Prince led the activists, who prevented the AL men from proceeding to Tungipara.

Wahidul however denied the allegation. BNP activists said the vehicles carrying the AL leaders and activists were not allowed to cross the bridge as they did not pay tolls.

SECTION 144 DECLARED IN KALAPARA

The upazila administration yesterday imposed Section 144 in the municipal area of Kalapara, Patuakhali, in a preemptive move as tension ran high between two rival political groupings over meetings at the same venue.

The move followed the calling of meetings at Monohor Patty by the upazila units of Bangladesh Awami League (AL) and the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), student wing of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) at 4:00pm today.

Both groupings yesterday said they would hold the meetings at the venue.

Meanwhile, a group of youths beat up Jubo League leader Liton Sardar at Kalapara Ferry Ghat at 3:00pm yesterday.

He was rushed to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in a critical Condition.

Awami League blamed the JCD for the attack.