Staff Reporter :
About 200 BNP activists were accused in two cases on Monday in connection with the clash between Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) during the hearing of former advisor to the caretaker government Barrister Mainul Hosein’s bail petition in Rangpur on Sunday.
Those named in the cases include BNP’s former metropolitan unit general secretary Shamsuzzman Shamu, Jubo Dal President Mahafuzunnabi Don and Organizing Secretary Noyon.
Kotwali Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Ziaur Rahman on Monday filed a case accusing 28 BNP men and some 50 unknown people on charge of involving anti-state activities, reports our local correspondent quoting Rezaul Karim, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the police station.
Besides, Anisur Rahman alias Anis, a members of Rangpur city unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League, has filed another case against 40 BNP-men and its 80 unknown activists accusing them being carried out attack on ruling party men, the OC said. BNP’s 12 activists, including Alam, Sumon, Jahid, Akkas, Kawsar and Ujjawl have already been arrested. “We are trying to apprehend the others accused,” said Rangpur Metropolitan Police’s Assistant Commissioner Altaf Hossain.
Shamsuzzaman Shamu criticized the police’s move.
“Awami League activists attacked the vehicle carrying Barrister Mainul, threw rotten eggs and shoes at him. Nothing is being done against them but police filed two cases against us,” he said.
However, Rangpur Metropolitan Awami League unit’s leader Tushar Kanti Mondol claimed that the BNP activists, armed with rifles and large knives, had exploded improvised bombs on the court premises and attacked the ruling party’s men.
The BNP activists had started a protest march in the courtyard on Sunday when Mainul was being returned from his hearing. Awami League activists led a procession, in response, and the two sides locked in clashes.
Mainul’s bail plea was rejected by Rangpur Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court on Sunday. He was arrested in a defamation case on October 22.
