Mirpur clash: Eight BNP men held, 225 sued

At least eight activists of BNP have been arrested and 225 others sued, including 75 named, in a case filed over a clash between the party and ruling Awami League activists and police in Mirpur two days ago.

"Drives are ongoing to arrest the other accused," said Parvej Islam, officer-in-charge of Pallabi Police Station. According to the case filed by SI Saiful Islam, the law enforcers fired 68 rounds of shotgun bullets. Besides, they lobbed 25 rounds of teargas shells to disperse the activists.

The BNP activists and supporters vandalised a police vehicle at that time, said the case in which police blamed the party men for provocation that led to the violence.

The incident took place on Thursday as AL activists attacked BNP men while they were preparing to hold a pre-scheduled rally on Mukul Fouz field at Mirpur-6. AL leaders and activists, wielding sticks, brought out a procession around the venue. They tried to chase the BNP men away, who retaliated by throwing brick chips.

Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas shells at the BNP activists.

On September 10, BNP announced to hold rallies in 16 locations of Dhaka until September 27, protesting price hike of commodities, fuel and transport fare, and the death of its activists during the recent protests in Bhola and Narayanganj.