80 hurt as police clash with Islamist party men
Police fire tear gas and use batons on a protest procession by 12 Islamist parties in front of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in the capital yesterday. The protesters were demanding withdrawal of the cases filed against the supporters of the parties before and after the September 23 hartal which was called in protest of a US film and cartoons deemed insulting to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Inset, two girls, among others, take refuge under a foot overbridge in the area to save themselves from the gas. The protest procession was brought out after Juma prayers. Photo: Anisur Rahman
At least 80 persons including six policemen were injured in a clash between police and leaders and activists of 12 Islamist parties yesterday after Juma prayers in the capital. Police picked up over 100 activists during chase and counter chase. The parties brought out the procession demanding withdrawal of cases filed against their activists and supporters during the September 23 hartal, which was called by the parties in protest of the anti-Islam film made in the US. Witnesses said several hundred people under the banner of the 12 Islamist parties brought out the procession from the north entrance of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque towards Jatiya Press Club after Juma prayer. When the procession reached Paltan intersection, police threw tear gas shells at the protestors. Law enforcers also shot rubber bullets and charged baton on the protestors, they said. Witnesses said the protestors retaliated by hurling brick chips at police and the clash spread to adjacent areas. Khalilur Rahman Madani, joint secretary general of the 12 like-minded parties' alliance committee, told The Daily Star that they brought out the mass procession peacefully demanding withdrawal of cases filed against their supporters and fulfilment of their religious claims. “We are doing procession peacefully. Police initially let us to bring out the procession but as we reached Paltan intersection, they attacked on us”, Khalilur Rahman said. About a hundred people were injured in the incident, he claimed. Anwar Hossain, deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police of Motijheel Division, said 105 persons were held by police of Paltan and Shahbag police stations in the incident. He said police used 70 rounds tear gas shell and 60 rounds rubber bullets. Anwar, however, said the protestors were carrying brick chips in their pockets and bags and they hurled those at police prompting police to hit back. Transport movement in the area was halted for over an hour causing panic and public sufferings. The 12 Islamist parties will bring out a countrywide protest rally on October 15 and hold campaigns from October 16 to October 23. If the supporters and leaders are not freed, they will go for tougher movement, said Khalilur.
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