BCL rallies vandalised in 5 dists

JCD holding a rally in Barisal city violating Section 144 (top) while police intercepting a BCL procession. PHOTO: STAR

Our Barisal Correspondent reports: Activists of Chhatra League (BCL) and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) were locked in a series of clashes yesterday despite imposition of Section 144 in certain areas of Barisal city, leaving at least 12 BCL activists injured, some of them seriously.

BCL leaders and witnesses claimed that the clashes ensued when Jubo Dal, student front of ruling BNP, swooped on their rallies, despite shifting of the venue thrice. The BCL programme, announced earlier, marked its 58th founding anniversary yesterday.

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Barisal BCL leaders said, as part of their earlier announced programme, they organised a rally at Shohel Chattar in the city at 6 am.

They said the trouble began as JCD activists attacked their rally at Sohel Chattar when Barisal district Juba League convener Kazi Muniruddin Tarik was hoisting a party flag and the National Flag there. Tarik and five BCL activists were injured.

BCL and Jubo League leaders and workers then tried to hold a rally in front of the Zilla School at about 10 am but they came under attack there also, allegedly by JCD activists. Barisal city BCL convener Ziaur Rahman, its joint convener Kabir Chowdhury and Jubo League leader Shahanewaz were seriously injured in the attack. At least seven BCL-Jubo League activists were injured there, party menclaimed.

Protesting the attack, BCL tried to hold a rally in Sadar Road area but police foiled the attempt, BCL leaders alleged.

JCD men also swooped on BCL and Juba League leaders and workers there in presence of police, they claimed.

Critically injured BCL and Juba League activists Ziaur Rahman, Kabir Hossain, Shahin Ahmed, Majibur Rahman, Faisal and Tareque were admitted to Barisal Medical College Hospital (SBMCH).

None was arrested from the spots during the clashes.

BCL leaders also alleged that police foiled their programme while ruling party men held gatherings violating Section 144 in front of police and a Magistrate.

The administration said Section 144 was imposed in and around Bibirpukur area covering the city Awami League office as BCL and its rival JCD announced programmes at the saame venue at the same time.

Reports received from Bakerganj upazila town said at least 20 opposition activists were injured in attacks by ruling party men who also damaged the pandal and a microbus on Bakerganj Circuit House premises at about 1-00 pm yesterday.

BNP men drove away opposition activists including former Awami League lawmaker Masud Reza from there and confined them inside Bakerganj Government College for some hours.

Imon Sikdar, Bakerganj Sadar upazila BCL leader and Masud Reza alleged that the attack was made after local BNP lawmaker Abul Hossain Khan addressed a party gathering in front of the BNP office near Bakerganj bus stand.

Eight of the injured were taken to the local hospital, BCL and AL sources there said.

They said police were preparing to file a case against some opposition activists for 'holing unauthorised gathering' on Circuit House premises and damaging public property.

Our Netrakona Correspondent reported that 30 BCL activists were injured in attack by JCD and police action.

UNB adds: At least 17 BCL activists were injured in attacks by JCD men who also foiled BCL's founding anniversary programme in Natore and Bhola yesterday.

In Natore, at least10 BCL workers were injured in an attack by JCD at Nawab Sirajuddawla Co9llege in the town.

Sources said, some JCD activists launched the attack at about 11 am while BCL men of the college unit were holding a rally at the college campus leaving 10 BCL workers injured.

College unit BCL president Bulbul Ahmed, secretary Shakib, joint secretary Asit are among the injured.

JCD activists attacked a BCL procession at Hajirhat in Manpura Upazila leaving seven workers injured.