BNP, police clash at Nayapaltan

Police and BNP men clashed in front of the party's Nayapaltan central office in capital Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon.

Witnesses said BNP leaders and activists started gathering in front of the party office this morning and a huge crowd was seen this afternoon.

The clash began around 2:30 pm when police lobbed tear shells and rubber bullets to remove BNP men from there.

But BNP men equipped with sticks also chased police. Later, they brought processions in phases and torched tires on the road in front of the party office.

Several BNP men, cops, and journalists were injured in the clash that was going on while filing this report around 3 pm.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi claimed more than 100 leaders and activists of the party were hurt in the police firing and most of them are bullet-hit injured.

Joint Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Mehedi Hasan, however, alleged BNP men aggressively attacked police at Nayapaltan and tried to create a 'ring of terror' in the entire area.

DMP has taken action to keep the law and order situation normal, he added.

Earlier around 12 noon, police deployed armour vehicle, prison van, and additional striking forces in Nayapaltan area.

KH/SU