'SAD, NCP' clash at protest rally joined by Sarjis in Bogura

Fighting and chase-counter chase broke out between National Citizen Party (NCP) activists and allegedly a section of Students Against Discrimination (SAD) in the presence of Chief Organiser (North) of NCP Sarjis Alam in Bogura today (30 April).

The incident happened around 5:15pm, during which several people were injured.

However, the identities of the injured could not be confirmed immediately, said sources.

According to sources, NCP organised a protest rally demanding trial of Awami League and a ban on their political activities this afternoon.

Meanwhile, a section of SAD arranged a separate programme in protest of NCP's rally at the same place.

Around 5pm, Sarjis along with some other leaders of NCP entered the stage, when some SAD activists got into the auditorium while chanting "Fake, Fake," aimed at the NCP leaders, according to sources. 

A fist fight and heated verbal exchanges erupted when NCP activists tried to resist the SAD activists, which turned into a chase-counter chase and full-blown fighting in three phases.

The fighting continued while Sarjis was speaking, sources said.  

Ahmed Sabbir, an organiser of NCP's Bogura unit, said, "Today's event was not associated with SAD. Some followers of a recently expelled NCP leader tried to create anarchy during the event."

When our correspondent reached out to Gazi Salahuddin Tanvir, the recently expelled NCP leader, he said, "Such a behaviour in the presence of a national leader is unexpected. NCP is my party too. The accusation that my followers are involved is baseless."

SM Moinuddin, officer-in-charge of Bagura Sadar Police Station, said, "We think there are two groupings inside the student-led parties. A chase-counter chase took place between them during a programme today."

"Activists of one group was chased away from the spot by the group which shouted slogans against Sarjis," the OC added.