1 killed in police-Hifazat clash in Bagerhat

A Hifazat-e-Islam activist was killed and at least 20 others, including policemen and journalists, were injured in separate clashes and attacks in Bagerhat district on Monday.

The clashes took place at Chulkathi and Katakhali crossings on the Dhaka-Mongla Highway, and Noapara and Kathaltala areas on the Bagerhat-Khulna Highway at around 8am.

Acting Superintendent of Police of the district Pankaj Chandra Roy said that the Hifazat activists gathered at Chulkathi, blockaded the highway and vandalised several vehicles after news spread that some Hifazat men from Bagerhat district who went to Dhaka to attend Sunday’s rally were killed in clashes with the law enforcers.

He said that as the police asked them to suspend the blockade, the marauding Islamists attacked the law enforcers.

“As the team of the police and RAB personnel took shelter in a factory at Town Noapara area on the Khulna-Bagerhat Highway after being chased, the Hifazat supporters surrounded the factory and attempted to enter into it breaking open the factory.”

Later, a team of additional police personnel led by the acting SP and an executive magistrate rescued the other policemen from the factory.

The police official said that an unidentified youth was killed on the spot and 20 others, including journalists, were injured when the Islamists clashed with the law enforcers at that time forcing the police to fire gunshots and charge baton to disperse the Hifazat men.

The body was sent to Khulna Medical College Hospital morgue.

Of the injured, Bagerhat Press Club General Secretary and district correspondent Somoy TV Ali Akbar Tuku was rushed to Bagerhat Sadar Hospital with serious injuries.