BNP supporters clash with police in Dhaka

BNP supporters have clashed with the police on the third day of the party’s nomination form sale, in front of their headquarters at Naya Paltan in Dhaka.

Clashes started around 1pm Wednesday. Police used teargas to control violence. 

BNP supporters were seen setting fire to police cars in the Naya Paltan area. At least three cars went up in flames. 

Firemen arrived in the area at 1:30pm, but they could not reach the scene to douse the fire as the road was blocked by the BNP activists.

Paltan Police Station chief Mahmud Hossain said it was an unprovoked clash with the law-enforcement agency. 

"The leaders and activists were haphazardly spread out in front of the party office. The police requested them to maintain order. But they clashed with the police without any provocation,” Hossain said. Police later moved back to the Nightingale bend of Kakrail. 

BNP leaders and activists occupied one side of the road in front of the head office. Some rickshaws were moving on the opposite side of the road. 

As the chaos unfolded, a group of BNP supporters brought out a procession with portraits of party chief Khaleda Zia and demanded her freedom. The BNP activists then occupied the road triggering panic in the area. Some of the supporters were seen with sticks.

Traffic came to a standstill on the roads leading to the BNP headquarters after violence spread.