Nilphamari tense as AL, BNP hold pogrammes

The two parties and their front organisations brought out processions marking separate programmes. BNP observed 27 th founding anniversary of Jatiyatabadi Sechchhasebak Dal and Awami League chalked out programmes to press execution of the verdict of Bangabandhu murder case.

Activists of the rival parties were locked in a chase and counter-chase at the Kalibari intersection and hurled brick bats, leaving two persons injured.

The district AL president was allegedly manhandled by police when they tried to stave off a clash between the rival parties.

At about 11.30 am, Jatiotabadi Sechchhasebok Dal brought out a procession, which crossed the Awami League office in Chourangi area. AL leaders alleged that provocative slogans were given from the procession against their party chief Sheikh Hasina and local lawmaker Asaduzzaman Noor.

At this stage, Awami Jubo League and Awami Sechchasebok League activists tried to bring out a procession but police intercepted it. District AL president Dewan Kamal Ahmed was assaulted by police there.

At 12.15 pm, Jubo League and Sechchhasebok League activists brought out a procession and reached Kalibari intersection. A Sechchhasebok Dal procession also reached there from the opposite direction at the same time.

The rival activists chanted slogans against each other and exchanged brickbats, which continued for about half an hour.

Panicked people ran for shelter and shopkeepers downed shutters.

Police lined up in the middle of the road holding hands and made a frantic effort to keep the rival activists away as the two processions crossed the area.

District Awami Jubo League secretary Shahed Mahmud later said Sadar upazila Jubo league secretary Rafiqul and party activist Manik were injured in the head as Sechchhasebok Dal activists hurled brickbats.

Later, Sechchhasebok Dal held a rally on district BNP office premises and Awami League held another rally on Smrity Amlan premises.

Addressing the rally, Sechchhasebok Dal president Razzaqul Islam alleged that Awami League mobilised "hoodlums" from outside by trucks to foil their programme.

Awami Jubo League handed over a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner demanding execution of the verdict in Bangabandhu murder case.