BNP engineered 'politically motivated' anarchy, claims BCL president

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) President HM Badiuzzaman Shohag has denied allegations that his organisation attacked BNP activists in Bakshibazar.

He claimed that the leaders of the Awami League's student affiliate went there to prevent the clash.

He was addressing a press conference on Thursday to respond to BNP's allegations that Chhatra League had been responsible for Wednesday's chaos.

"The BNP activists started the violence at the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital and BUET in the morning. The clash ensued when the Chhatra League activists protested against it," he said.

"The senior leaders of the Chhatra League restrained the agitating supporters to prevent conflict."

Clashes erupted between the ruling party and BNP supporters in front of a special court in Bakshibazar on Wednesday before BNP chief Khaleda Zia appeared there for a hearing on her corruption charges.

Some senior leaders of the BCL, including the president, were seen in the area during the skirmish.

BNP's acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that Sohag had led the attack which was targeted towards Khaleda's motorcade.

Sohag denied the accusation.

"BNP engineered the chaotic situation which was politically motivated and they are now trying to pin the blame on the Chhatra League," he said.

BNP gathered criminals and armed men from various places and created a chaos in areas around Dhaka University, he claimed.

Sohag held the BNP responsible for the attack on Netrakona-1 MP Chhabi Biswas at the DMCH during the clashes and demanded punishment for those involved in it.

"Armed activists of BNP, Juba Dal and Chhatra Dal assaulted Chhabi Biswas, set his car ablaze. Don't these prove that BNP and its affiliate organisations are responsible for the incident?"

The BCL president said they hold a rally at Gazipur's Bhawal Badre Alam Government College grounds on Dec 27.

The BNP chief is scheduled to hold a rally there on the same day. The BNP too confirmed their stand to hold the rally there, triggering tensions.