Several injured as Jatiyo Party, Gono Odhikar Parishad activists clash in Kakrail
Gono Odhikar Parishad claimed that 50 of their activists, including President Nurul Haque Nur and General Secretary Md Rashed Khan were injured in the incident.
Several people were injured as clashes broke out between activists of the Jatiyo Party and Gono Odhikar Parishad in front of the Jatiyo Party's central office in the capital's Kakrail this evening (29 August).
Following the clashes, a large number of law enforcement personnel, including army and police, were deployed to the scene to restore order, according to police.
Jatiyo Party leaders alleged that activists of Gono Odhikar Parishad launched an attack on them while marching past the party office.
On the other hand, Gono Odhikar Parishad leaders claimed that it was the Jatiyo Party supporters who first hurled bricks and stones at their procession, provoking the clash.
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Abu Hanif, senior leader and media coordinator of Gono Odhikar Parishad, claimed that 50 of their activists, including President Nurul Haque Nur and General Secretary Md Rashed Khan were injured in the incident, many of whom were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.
Videos circulating on social media show law enforcers using batons to disperse Nurul Haque Nur and other Gono Odhikhar Parishad leaders and activists, who were seen standing behind a dais on the street where they wanted to brief the media.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Deputy Commissioner (Ramna Zone) Asaduzzaman told The Business Standard that 300-400 Gono Odhikar activists were taking part in a torch procession. "Suddenly, the procession started throwing torches and bricks at the police. Later, the police, along with the army, repelled them in self-defense," he said.
Speaking to reporters, Md Rashed Khan said Nur was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in a critical state and doctors were keeping him under close observation.
Abu Hanif told reporters that their protest rally was held demanding a ban on "pro-Awami League allies."
"After the rally at the central office, we brought out a procession from Paltan Zero Point toward Nightingale intersection. As we were passing by the Jatiyo Party office, stones were suddenly thrown at us from behind," he said.
"Around 300-400 people were present in front of the office at the time. We believe, along with Jatiyo Party members, Awami League and Jubo League men were also there," Hanif added.
In an emergency press briefing, Jatiyo Party Secretary General Shamim Haider Patwary accused Gono Odhikar Parishad of holding an "illegal meeting" where they allegedly discussed canceling the Jatiyo Party's registration and arresting its chairman.
"Such a meeting is unlawful and politically provocative. Stones were thrown at our activists from their procession, leaving several of our members injured, many of whom are now in hospital," he said.
He added that Jatiyo Party activists "bravely resisted" the attack, forcing Gono Odhikar Parishad supporters to retreat.
"Later, the army quickly arrived at the scene and calmed the situation. We are grateful for their prompt action," Patwary noted.
