20 injured as AL, BNP clash

At least 20 people, including four policemen, were injured as Awami League and BNP activists clashed at Shibpur under Puthia upazila on Sunday night amid Section 144.
Police fired some 14 shots and tear gas canisters to bring the situation under control and arrested 20 BNP activists from the spot, said Police Superintendent SM Rokon Uddin.
He said four policemenShafi, Mamun, Javed and Sayeed--were injured during the clash. One of the injured cops was admitted to Rajshahi Police Hospital while the rest given first aid.
Police yesterday filed a case, accusing 75 BNP men of attacking them and obstructing their duty.
Rajshahi BNP president Nadim Mostafa claimed that 14 of their leaders and activists were injured. Of them, JCD Puthia municipality unit President Atikur Rahman and district Jubo Dal President Ariful Islam received bullet injuries, he said.
Local AL leaders claimed that two of their workers were injured as BNP attacked their meeting.
Police and witnesses said local administration imposed Section 144 at Shibpur of Puthia upazila from 3:00pm to 10:00pm as local units of both AL and BNP called meetings at a field at Shibpur at the same venue same time.
When BNP men led by Nadim Mostafa were holding a memorial meeting on party secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain near Shibpur Mosque at around 7:00pm, AL activists swooped on them who also retaliated. AL activists damaged some 30 motorcycles of the BNP men during the clash.
Minutes later, police opened fire and dispersed the feuding groups. They picked up 20 BNP activists from the house of Jubo Dal leader Nazmul Huda.
The SP said BNP did not inform police before holding the meeting. Refuting the allegation, Nadim Mostafa said they duly informed the police.