Cops foil Jubo Dal rally for Koko

Law enforcers yesterday foiled a demonstration at the capital's Nayapaltan by Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, a youth wing of BNP, in protest at the government's decision to cancel parole of Arafat Rahman Koko, and picked up five activists.
Following the police action, party activists vandalised several vehicles and were locked in chase and counter chase with police, witnesses said. Police charged batons on agitating activists twice to control the situation.
Juba Dal after the incident announced a two-day protest programme from Tuesday.
Moazzem Hossain Alal, president of the organisation, said the party will stage demonstrations at upazila and district level tomorrow and at divisional headquarters on Wednesday.
The violence began when the Jubo Dal men led by their chief Alal, held a rally in the area, and police obstructed them. Then they gathered at Bijoy Nagar, and law enforcers again barred them from holding demonstration.
Alal said they started a procession from a spot nearby Nightingale Restaurant and was supposed to end at BNP headquarters at Naya Paltan but police charged batons and fired tear gas shells to disperse them.
At least 30 people were seriously injured and a few activists including New Market thana Juba Dal vice president Motiar were arrested, he claimed.
However, police said they arrested five activists from the spot.
Police official Shahidul Haque said Juba Dal activists organised the demonstration without notifying the authorities beforehand.
The activists attacked police leaving four police personnel injured, he added.