Police car, buses set on fire by BNP activists in city

Three passenger buses and a police car were set on fire as a clash ensued between police and BNP leaders and activists during the party’s sit-in programme in the city’s Matuail area.

Besides, at least 20 police personnel were injured as BNP activists clashed with police during the party’s sit-in programme in the city entrance points. BNP called today’s sit-in programme without taking prior permission from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

Among the injured policemen, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic-South) SM Mehdi Hasan and Sub Inspector (SI) Sutrapur Police Station Nahid are undergoing treatment with serious injuries.

The BNP leaders and activists started gathering with batons at the entrance points of the city including Gabtoli, Abdullahpur, Dholaikhal, Uttara and Matuail at about 11 am.

At one point, they took positions on all the important roads and stopped traffic movement. When police tried to remove them to ensure traffic movement and reduce public nuisance, they (BNP activists) threw bricks on police and attacked police vehicles.

They exploded cocktails in different parts of the capital. Cars were vandalized and set on fire in many places. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to bring the situation under control.

Police also arrested 90 people on charges of illegal assembly in city’s different points and engaging in vandalism and arson attacks on motor vehicles.

The BNP activists set fire on three buses in Matuail area, while a police car was set on fire and several vehicles were vandalised in Shaymoli area.

A police member witnessing the incident said that more than a hundred people brought out a procession from Gabtoli area, with wielding sticks and rods in hand.

They set a police car on fire, parked on the street opposite to the Shaymoli Square, around 1:15pm and vandalised several buses and cars at the time.

Confirming the development, Fire Service and Civil Defence Headquarters Control Room Duty Officer Lima Khanam said that two units of fire service reached the spot and doused the fire. (BSS)