Rajshahi clashes kill 2 more

A Jamaat-e-Islami leader and a minor were killed while seven more were hit by bullets during clashes between strike supporters and police on the first day of the 48-hour nationwide strike called by the Islamist party Sunday.

The clashes were reported from Godagari upazila in Rajshahi district, where local administartion clamped prohibitory orders to avoid further trouble after the clashes.

Those killed have been identified as Mujahid Hossain, 45, a Jamaat leader from Mahishalbari of Godaigari upazilla and Rafiqul Islam, 12, son of Mostafa Ali from Bhagmantapur (in the upazila). Hossain is also the Imam of a local mosque.

Rajshahi Police Superintendent Alamgir Hossain told bdnews24.com the two died in clashes that erupted when police tried to clear a road blockade on Rajshahi-Chapainawabganj Highway at Godagari Hall intersection.

The strike supporters , brandishing sticks , attacked the police and the borderguards, prompting the BGB contingent to open fire in self defence, Hossain said.

" The two were rushed to the hospital but died."

The others who sustained bullet injuries have been taken to Godagari Upzalia Health Complex and Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Hossain said the activists of Jamaat and Shibir also demonstarted by blocking five kilometers of Rajshahi-Naoga Highway.

Godagari Acting Upazila Nirbahi Official Aminul Islam confirmed about enforcing Sec 144 at the area.

The activists of the Islamist party continued their violence across Bangladesh on Sunday. The violence thatb started after the death verdict of Jamaat's leader Delwar Hossain Sayadee on Thursday , has claimed more than 50 lives so far.

The BNP has said it will enforce a nationwide dawn-to-dusk shutdown on Tuesday protesting the deaths caused in the violence.