BNP men, police clash in Jhalakathi

A clash broke out between police and BNP leaders and activists when the latter gathered to hold a march in Jhalakathi today.

At least 60 BNP activists were injured in the clash, Sahadat Hossain, member secretary of district unit BNP, claimed.

On the other hand, Officer-in-Charge of Jhalakathi Sadar Police Station Nasir Uddin Sarkar said six law enforcers were injured.

Sixteen people were detained from spot, our Pirojpur correspondent reports quoting the OC.

Around 11:00am, BNP men from different areas gathered in front of their party office in Amtala area of Jhalakathi town to hold a road march protesting the price hike of the daily essentials.

"But police along with the activists of ruling party Awami League attacked us," BNP leader Sahadat Hossain said.

"AL men arranged a programme where presence of participants was lower than our ones. And that's why, police foiled our programme," the BNP leader claimed.

Over 60 activists, who were injured in the attack, have taken primary treatment from different health care centres, he claimed, adding that they could not go to hospitals fearing arrest.

Member secretary of district unit Jubo Dal Anisur Rahman, Sadar upazila unit JCD convener Tawhid Hossain and member secretary of Jhalakathi municipality unit Swachchhasebak Dal Samim Mridha were among the detainees.

OC Nasir Uddin Sarkar said BNP men were given permission for holding the programme. But at the end of the programme, some BNP men threw brick bats targeting the police without any provocation.