Cases filed against BNP activists over attack on MP, clashes in Bakshibazar

Police have filed two cases over clashes at Bakshibazar and an attack on ruling party MP Chhabi Biswas.

The cases filed at the Shahbagh and Chawkbazar police stations on Wednesday night accuse more than 150 activists of BNP and its front organisations.

The case over the attack on the lawmaker, filed with the Shahbagh police, accuses the perpetrators of an 'attempt to murder'.

It accused 23 persons including, Khaleda Zia's advisor Abdul Awal Mintoo, BNP central leaders Habibunnabi Khan Sohel and Azizul Bari Helal, and another 50 to 60 unidentified people.

The case also names Jatiayatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) President Rajib Ahsan, General Secretary Akramul Hasan, and Organising Secretary Ishak Sarkar.

JCD is the student affiliate of the BNP. Central leaders Sohel and Helal are former JCD chiefs.

Photo: asif mahmud ove/ bdnews24.com

Photo: asif mahmud ove/ bdnews24.com

“The attackers have been accused of trying to kill the MP, arson, theft of cash and mobile phones, obstructing police from doing their duty and attacking law enforcers," said Inspector Habil Hossain of Shahbagh police.

Police have already arrested eight of the 23 named in the case.

Shahbagh police OC Sirajul Islam confirmed that BNP chief's advisor Mintoo and central leaders Sohel and Helal were among the accused.

Meanwhile, another case has been filed with the Chawkbazar Police Station over Wednesday's clashes.

OC Azizul Haque said the case accuses around 100 BNP supporters of attacking police.

Five people were arrested on Wednesday over the clash, he said.

Police had earlier said that 54 people had been detained from different parts of Dhaka in connection with the clash.

Trouble started when a group of government supporters attacked a gathering of BNP activists at Bakshibazar on Wednesday.

BNP chief Khaleda Zia appeared before a special court, set up in the area, to attend the hearing of graft cases against her.

At least 50 people were injured in the hour-long clash that began around noon and stretched from Bakshibazar to the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) area.

Police charged batons, fired rubber bullets and teargas canisters to disperse them.

Amid the clash, ruling MP from Netrokona Chhabi Biswas was attacked in front of the DMCH. The attackers set his car on fire.

The BNP has claimed the Awami League was responsible for the clash and the aim was to attack the party chief's motorcade.