Most people involved in Naya Paltan violence identified, all are of BNP: Police 

Most of those who engaged in violence during clashes between police and BNP supporters in the capital’s Naya Paltan have been identified and all of them belong to the party or its affiliates, police say.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 15 Nov 2018, 02:48 PM
Updated : 15 Nov 2018, 04:39 PM

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia gave the update on Thursday on the investigations into the clashes in front of the BNP’s headquarters.

The violence left three police vehicles vandalised and torched and scores, including over 20 policemen, injured during the sale of the party’s nomination forms on Wednesday ahead of the general election.

The BNP alleges police attacked its supporters without provocation on orders from the government and ruling Awami League goons posing as opposition activists carried out the arson attacks.

The government and police say the BNP leaders and activists attacked police in a bid to foil the polls after the law enforcers had asked them to refrain from blocking the street while gathering in front of the BNP offices.

Police officers investigating the violence said they identified at least 30 of those responsible for the attacks on the law enforcers.

Detectives were also working to arrest them after being confirmed about identities of at least 10 of these people, DMP Assistant Commissioner Mishu Biswas told bdnew24.com.

BNP activists vandalise and torch several vehicles during a clash with police in Naya Paltan area in Dhaka on Wednesday. Photo: Abdullah Al Momin

Photos and videos of a man setting fire to a police car have gone viral on the social media.

Mishu said police identified him as Shahjalal Khandaker Kabir, a member of the convening committee of Jatiyabadi Chhatra Dal’s Paltan unit. JCD is the BNP’s student front.    

Police raided Kabir’s home in the area but did not find him, the police officer said.

Another helmeted man was seen jumping on a police car, but the law enforcers could not identify him, the DMP officer said. 

“But most of those who were cheering after torching the car have been identified,” he added.

BNP workers carrying sticks during clashes with police at Naya Paltan in Dhaka on Wednesday. Photo: Abdullah Al Momin

“The people have seen it all clearly thanks to the media,” DMP Commissioner Mia said.

He also believes the attacks on police were premeditated.

“TV footages showed clearly how the policemen were beaten up,” he said.

“But we did not use force. Doing so would have destroyed the polls atmosphere,” he added.

Around 65 members of the BNP and its affiliates have been arrested in three cases over the violence, according to police.