Political tension increases in Bangladesh: one policeman killed, more than 200 injured
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A policeman lost his life and more than 200 others, including security personnel, were injured when violence broke out during rallies of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the ruling Awami League in Bangladesh on Saturday. Tension has increased in the country before the elections to be held in January. BNP led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia took out a massive rally here demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister. He says that to conduct free and fair elections, the resignation of the Prime Minister and the formation of a non-party interim government is necessary. Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesperson Farooq Hossain said that BNP workers here killed a police constable by attacking him with a sharp object while 41 other policemen were injured in the clash.
He said that 39 policemen are undergoing treatment at ‘Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital’ (CPH). “When the said policeman was brought here, the doctors declared him dead,” said Bachchu Mian, inspector of the police post at the Government Dhaka Medical College (DMCH). Awami League and BNP had taken out rallies in the surrounding areas. . The paramilitary ‘Border Guard Bangladesh’ was also called in as violence spread throughout downtown Dhaka. Protestors set fire to ambulances and vehicles inside the CPH and a police post, and attempts were made to attack several government buildings. Major violence was witnessed in Kakarel and its surrounding areas. Police fired rubber bullets, tear gas shells and sound grenades to break up the massive BNP rally.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Intelligence Branch chief Haroonur Rashid told reporters, “BNP leaders and workers attacked government establishments and properties, legal action will be taken against them.” Prime Minister Hasina’s ruling Awami League party also sent thousands of its Uniting the supporters, a ‘peace rally’ was taken out at the south gate of Betul Mokarram Nation Mosque. Around the same time, BNAP activists were demonstrating around the party’s new platoon central office. Both these places are in the main area of Dhaka. Anti-riot police had created a buffer zone in Purana Paltan area to prevent clashes between the workers of these two parties. These workers had sticks and stones in their hands.
DMCH doctors said that so far around 200 people have been brought to the hospital and many of them have serious head injuries. Violence broke out in Kakrel area when BNP workers allegedly attacked a bus carrying members of the rival party. The violence soon spread and police fired tear gas at opposition activists who were chanting anti-government slogans. Main opposition party BNP has called for a nationwide strike on Sunday against the police action to thwart the ‘peaceful gathering’. In response, Awami League general secretary and Road Transport Minister Abdul Quader called on ruling party workers to take out ‘peace rallies’ across the country.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hasina criticized the opposition for trying to derail her government’s development agenda. “The Awami League is not afraid of your bullying,” he said at a public meeting in Chattogram. Saturday’s violence comes amid tension in the country over early elections scheduled for January 2024. Hasina has been in power in the country for 15 years. BNP says that no election can be fair under the rule of Awami League. However, the ruling party rejected this demand saying that as per the provisions of the Constitution, elections will be conducted only under the supervision of Hasina government. Awami League is expected to come to power for the fourth time.
Disclaimer: IndiaTheNews has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.
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