BCL leader's arrest sparks protests
At least 40 people, including 10 policemen, were injured yesterday in a clash between police and supporters of former president of BCL district unit Mahmudul Haque Bhuiyan in Brahmanbaria municipality protesting his arrest.
Rail communication between the capital and Sylhet, Chittagong and Noakhali was severed for over four hours as demonstrators blockaded the railway tracks near Bhadugar and Pagachang since 10:30am.
Vehicular movement on the Comilla-Sylhet highway also remained suspended for an hour.
Dhaka-bound Mahanagar Express, Chattala Express, Jayantika Express, Sylhet-bound Balla local, Chittagong-bound Chattala Express, Karnaphuli Express and Brahmanbaria- bound Titas Express were stranded at different points on their routes, while another train of Titas Express and Chandpur Local called off their scheduled trips.
The rail and road communication resumed after police intervened around 3:00pm and fired rubber bullets and lobbed tear gas canisters to disperse the demonstrators, said Rasul Ahmed Nizami, officer-in-charge of Brahmanbaria Police Station. The protesters also threw stone chips and hand-made bombs at the police, injuring them.
Police arrested Mahmudul near a guesthouse in the town's Court Road on Sunday night in connection with two cases filed against him earlier, said Jamil Ahmed, superintendent of police of the district.
Of the ten injured policemen, two sub-inspectors of the station Salauddin and Masud Rana were critically injured and were brought to Dhaka while the rest were admitted to local hospitals, Nizami said.
Meanwhile, the arrested Mahmudul was sent to Brahmanbaria jail custody yesterday, police source said.
Mahmud's younger brother Masudul Haque alleged that police forcefully entered their house at Kazipara and harassed his family members an allegation denied by the police.
While contacted, Major (retd.) Jahirul Haque Khan, acting secretary of AL Brahmanbaria district unit, claimed to have no relation with Mahmud who was expelled from BCL during last mayoral election of the municipality.
“At least 10 cases are hanging over his head as he is a local patron of terrorists,” he claimed, adding that the supporters of Mahmud include local criminals and drug-addicts who tried to create chaos.
Local people and students did not support them or take part in the demonstration, he said.
Meanwhile, a peace procession headed by district convener of BCL Md. Jahangir Hossain was brought out in the town last evening, chanting slogans welcoming Mahmud's arrest.
Comments