BNP-AL clashes leave 30 injured in Noakhali

At least 30 people, including four policemen, were injured in two separate clashes between Awami League and BNP activists in Sonaimuri upazila of Noakhali this afternoon (August 27, 2022).

The clashes took place on the Sonaimuri-Chhatarpaya Road and Sonaimuri Model High School Road between 3:30pm and 5pm, our Noakhali correspondent reports quoting police and witnesses.

Sonaimuri municipality BNP convener and Sonaimuri municipality former mayor Motaher Hossain Manik said they held a protest rally against price hike of daily essentials in front of the City Centre on Sonaimuri Model High School road around 3:15 pm.

When they brought out a protest procession after the rally, leaders and activists of local Awami League, Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League and Chhatra League suddenly attacked the procession, he said.

The BNP leader said the clash ensued as BNP leaders and activists launched a counter-attack in self-defense. At least 30-35 party men were injured in the clash.

Sonaimuri Upazila Swechchhasebak League Convener Dildar Hossain said BNP men suddenly attacked a peaceful procession brought out by local AL men and Swechchhasebak League.

There was a chase and counter-chase between the two sides. BNP activists attacked their procession with brick chips, leaving several AL and  Swechchhasebak League men injured, he claimed.

Harun-or-Rashid, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sonaimuri Police Station, said upazila BNP organised a rally on Sonaimuri High School ground. Suddenly they gathered in Chourasta area where an altercation happened between two groups.  Later, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. 

Md Nazmul Hasan Rajib, additional superintendent of Noakhali police said four policemen, including Sonaimuri Police Station OC Harunur Rashid, were injured as the BNP and AL men threw brick chips at each other during the clashes. Preparations are underway to file a case in this regard.