Activists of the Jatiya Party and Gono Odhikar Parishad have clashed in Kakrail when a protest march of the latter passed by the former`s central office.
The incident took place around 6:30pm on Friday during a demonstration organised by Gono Odhikar to demand a "ban on the Awami League’s political activities", reports bdnews24.com.
The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus in May this year banned all activities of the former ruling party headed by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted last year in a mass uprising.
The situation turned into stone-pelting between the two groups, which continued for several minutes before police and Army personnel brought it under control.
Gono Odhikar Parishad claims their procession was attacked from behind by the Jatiya Party.
Conversely, the Jatiya Party alleges that their headquarters was attacked by the protesters.
Abu Hanif, a senior leader of Gono Odhikar Parishad’s higher council, said in a statement that their rally was part of a scheduled evening protest.
He claimed that around 6:30pm at Paltan intersection, the rear section of their procession came under attack.
According to Hanif, 200 to 300 people took part in the assault near the Jatiya Party office, and alleged that Awami League and Jubo League members were also involved.
He said the clash began after Gono Odhikar activists and supporters attempted to resist the attack.
Nurul Haque Nur, president of Gono Odhikar Parishad, and Rashed Khan, the group’s general secretary, were present at the march.
Rashed was reportedly injured in the incident, according to a post on his verified Facebook page.
In response to the “attack”, Gono Odhikar Parishad has announced a torchlight procession in protest.
Meanwhile, Khandaker Delowar Jalali, press secretary to the Jatiya Party chairman, described the incident as a “terror attack” on the party’s central office.
He said a press conference would be held at 8:30pm at the party headquarters to address the matter.
Atikul Alam Khondoker, inspector of Ramna Police Station, confirmed he was present at the scene. He said police received reports of stone-throwing between the two groups around 6:15pm.
“Police and Army personnel are at the location, and the situation is under control,” he added.
Speaking to bdnews24.com, Omar Faruk, vice-president of Gono Odhikar Parishad’s Dhaka South unit, who was leading the march, said: “Jatiya Party are accomplices of the Awami League. We won’t leave this place until they are banned too.”
Several senior Jatiya Party leaders, including Presidium member Alamgir Shikdar Loton and Saifuddin Milon, were seen standing outside their office.
Loton told bdnews24.com: “Nurul Haque Nur and Rashed incited some people to form a ‘mob’. They are calling us allies. If we are allies, what does that make them? Nurul was once a Chhatra League leader. Their main aim is to create a ‘mob’ and take advantage.
“We want peaceful coexistence. This blame game must stop.”
At night, Gono Odhikar Parishad’s Rashed told bdnews24.com that their torchlight procession was scheduled at 9:30pm to protest the “attack” and demand a ban on the politics of Jatiya Party and Awami League allies.
After completing the march, they attempted to hold a press briefing outside the Gono Odhikar Parishad office, where law enforcers reportedly used batons.
Rashed said Nur was seriously injured in the baton charge and was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Earlier, Rashed had informed that Nur was initially admitted to Islami Bank Hospital.
