A local BNP leader of the party's Panchagarh unit has died during clashes between the police and his party colleagues in the district. However, police said it was a case of cardiac arrest.
Abdur Rashid Arefin, 50, died when the police beat him and others during a procession on Saturday, the party alleged. He was a joint convenor of the party’s Maidan Dighi Union unit in Boda Upazila.
Jahirul Islam Kachchu, convenor of Panchagarh district BNP, said that when they brought out the procession, a large unit of police personnel started baton-charging and firing teargas to disperse them.
"Arefin died when he was hit hard with a baton,” said Jahirul, adding that, at least 50 party activists were injured during the clashes.
The procession was a part of BNP’s nationwide demonstration to demand the resignation of the Awami League government before the next election.
SM Sirajul Huda, superintendent of police in Panchagarh, claimed that physicians confirmed Arefin died of cardiac arrest.
Dr Towhid Ahmed, the resident medical officer of Panchagarh Sadar Modern Hospital, said they were yet to determine the cause of Arefin’s death.
Sirajul said at least 12 policemen were injured after being hit by brickbats thrown by “aggressive” BNP activists.
