Clash in Kakrail: Jatiya Party, Gono Odhikar Parishad face off; Nur injured

Leaders and activists of Jatiya Party and Gono Odhikar Parishad clashed in front of the Jatiya Party central office in Dhaka's Kakrail area this evening.

The incident occurred between 6:15pm and 7:30pm, Golam Faruk, officer-in-charge of Ramna Police Station, told The Daily Star.

During the clash, both sides threw brick chips at each other, amid chase and counter-chase, he said.

"Following the clash, police and other agencies were deployed at the scene," he added.

Along with police, army personnel were also deployed, said leaders of both parties.

Both groups blamed each other for the clash.

Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan, among five, were brought to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment, said Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of DMCH police outpost.

Talking to The Daily Star, Rashed said, "First, Jatiya Party men attacked us and later, law enforcers carried out the second phase of attack. Nur [Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur] was injured in the second phase of the attack. He is receiving treatment at the Islami Bank Central Hospital."

Abu Hanif, media coordinator of Gono Odhikar Parishad, in a press release said they held a demonstration today demanding a ban on the activities of Awami League's accomplices.

"After the protest at the central office, we were marching from Paltan towards the Nightingale intersection when bricks and stones were thrown at us from behind while passing by the office of Jatiya Party. At that time, there were about 300-400 people in front of the Jatiya Party office. We suspect that there were also Awami League and Jubo League men present there."

Meanwhile, Jatiya Party organised an emergency press conference after the incident at its central office.

Jatiya Party Secretary General Shameem Haider Patwary said Gono Odhikar Parishad carried out the attack from its procession.

Later, army and police came to the spot and brought the situation under control.

He said several JP leaders suffered injuries and were admitted to hospital.

He alleged that the interim government failed to provide safety for people and political parties.

"The government has also lost the capability of holding free and fair polls," he added.

Shameem Haider said that Gono Odhikar Parishad must apologise for its "misdeeds" and the government should take punitive actions against the party.

DMCH police outpost Inspector Md Faruk said Nur was brought to DMCH around 10:55pm.

CA's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam visited Nur at the hospital. After the visit, talking to reporters, he said, "This is a disgraceful incident. We condemn it. We will investigate this matter."

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul also condemned the attack on Nur in a Facebook post.