22 Chhatra Dal members detained from Naya Paltan

Police have detained 22 leaders and activists of BNP’s student front Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal from near the party’s headquarters at Dhaka’s Naya Paltan.

Among the detainees were members of the two groups of the Chhatra Dal, Paltan Police SI Motiur Rahman told bdnews24.com.

One group is oppose to the new committee formed last week while other is part of the new committee.

“They were suspiciously gathering at Naya Paltan and outside BNP’s office. There have been several scuffles between the groups in this area in the past few days. They have been detained as part of a precautionary measure.”

He, however, could not name all those held but said: “We are identifying them.”

Supporters of leaders who have been left out of the Chhatra Dal’s new committee have been holding protests outside the BNP office after names of new office bearers were announced on Oct 14.

Members of the new committee were attacked when they came to visit the Naya Paltan office on Sunday. The office was vandalised and hand bombs were hurled.

Police present outside BNP’s office did not react to stop the skirmishes.

But a police case was filed at night accusing 80 to 90 unidentified men for vandalism, explosion and obstructing police from discharging duties.

Meanwhile, the protesting leaders and their supporters stopped their agitations after BNP acting secretary general assured them on Sunday evening to look into their grievances.