23 hurt in BNP-police clash in Gaibandha

At least 23 people, including three cops, were injured in a clash between police and BNP activists Gaibandha's Palashbari upazila this afternoon.

The clash happened in Jundaho area on the Bogura-Rangpur highway the upazila, reports our Bogura correspondent quoting police and locals.

Uday Kumar Saha, assistant superintendent of police in Gaibandha, said around 12:30pm, a group of BNP leaders and activists started vandalising vehicles on the highway in Jundah area.

When the police went there and tried to disperse them, a chase and counter-chase took place between police and BNP men, said.

The party men hurled brick chips at the law enforcers leaving three policemen -- a sub-inspector and two constables -- injured, added ASP Uday Kumar.

Locals said since the morning, BNP's men started gathering in Jundah area in support of the hartal and started vandalising vehicles from 12:30pm to 1:00pm.

Contacted, Abul Kalam Azad, joint secretary of Gaibandha district BNP unit, said "A bus entered into our procession. Some picketers vandalised the bus and 4-5 vehicles. At that time, a chase and counter chase took place between police and them."

Kalam said around 20 BNP men including him were injured.

No passengers were injured during the incident, according to police.