90 BNP men sued over violence in Kishoreganj

Some 90 BNP men have been sued over the clash between police and BNP activists in Kishoreganj town's Station Road area on Monday.

Anik Kumar, sub-inspector of Kishoreganj Model Police Station, lodged the case later that day against 19 named and 70 unnamed people for attacking police personnel and barring them from discharging their duties, said Mohammad Daud, officer-in-charge of the station.

The accused include Mazharul Islam, general secretary of Kishoreganj  district BNP, Hazi Md Israil, organising secretary, and Ruhul Hossain, vice-president -- both of the same unit; Khaled Saifullah Sohel, Sadar upazila BNP convener, and Abu Naser Sumon, secretary of Kishoreganj Swechchhasebak Dal.

At least 31 people, including 11 police personnel, were injured in the clash.

Mazharul Islam, one of the accused, said they organised a programme marking the National Revolution and Solidarity Day at the party office that noon.

The clash began after the police barred them from joining the programme at Station Road. The police charged truncheon and fired several rounds of rubber bullets following a heated argument, he added.

Around 20 BNP men were hurt, five of them bullet-hit, claimed Mazharul.

On the other hand, OC Daud said the programme was organised on the road and the blockades were causing inconveniences to others.

Upon information, police rushed to the location and requested the party activists to clear the spot. Instead of cooperating, they started arguing with the police. They also threw bricks at the law enforcers. The police were compelled to take action after the accused began to vandalise vehicles, the OC added.

Police fired around 12 shots into the air to bring the situation under control. They also arrested two BNP men for being involved in the violence. The arrestees, BNP activists Abu Naser Sumon and Saiful Islam, were produced before a court yesterday and sent to jail.