At least 15 people, including five cops, were injured during clashes between BNP men and law enforcers in Patuakhali and Satkhira yesterday.
In Patuakhali, the trouble began when police intercepted a BNP procession in Bottala area on Sher-e-Bangla Road in the town at 11:00am.
The procession was brought from a rally held in the area to protest “disappearance” of the party's Organising Secretary and former lawmaker M Ilias Ali from the capital on Tuesday night, reports our correspondent.
As BNP men tried to break the police barricade, the law enforcers charged batons on them. At least 10 activists of the party received injuries in police action.
BNP leaders advocate Mujibur Rahman, Abul Hossain Howlader and Moshiur Rahman Khan and Jubo Dal activists Zakir Hossain Mridha, Monir Hossain and Md Swapan are among the injured.
District BNP General Secretary MA Rob claimed that at least 50 party leaders and activists were injured in police action.
Our Satkhira correspondent reported that at least five police men were injured as BNP activists hurled brick chips on law enforcers in the town yesterday.
The incident occurred in New Market area as cops prevented the BNP men from taking out a procession from the area at around 5:30pm.
Police also fired teargas shells and rubber bullets to disperse the BNP men.
The injured are Inspector (investigation) Ratan Sheikh and constables Waliul Islam, Rokonuzzaman, Nazrul Islam and Safiqul Alam. They are undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital.
Police picked up 15 BNP activists from the spot. District BNP General Secretary Syed Iftekhar Ali alleged that police fired rubber bullets, teargas shells and charged batons on BNP activists to foil their peaceful procession.
He demanded immediate release of the party men. Iftekhar claimed that at least five party activists were injured in police action.
Our Moulvibazar correspondent adds: Two factions of BNP district unit yesterday brought out separate processions in the town in support of today's countrywide hartal to mount pressure on the government to rescue central leader M Ilias Ali who went “missing” on Tuesday night.
Local BNP leaders Mizanur Rahman Mizan, Syed Ashfaque, Mohitur Rahman Helal and central Jubo Dal Organising Secretary Motin joined the procession of Begum Khaleda Robbani faction while Bakshi Misbahur Rahman and Ashik Mosharraf led the procession of M Naser Rahman group.
After parading the main streets, leaders and activists belonging to both factions held separate rallies. They demanded that the government take
necessary steps to rescue their leader Ilias Ali. They also urged the people to observe hartal in the district today.