Uncertainty grips nation as political violence spreads across country
In Brahmanbaria, BDR was called out and Section 144 clamped in the town for an indefinite period following the killing of district BNP vice-president in a bomb attack on Friday.
Brahmanbaria
A tense situation is prevailing in Brahmanbaria town following the murder of district BNP vice-president advocate Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah, our correspondent reported.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Yesterday, following after his namaj-e-janaza at Poura Mukta Mncah after Juhar prayer, BNP at a rally gave a three-day ultimatum to the administration to arrest the killers and also declared RAM Wahidul Muktadir Rabiul, former private secretary to Awami League (AL) chief Sheikh Hasina, 'unwanted' in the district, blaming him for the killing.
Habibullah was also secretary of Brahmanbaria Bar Council and secretary of Brahmanbaria Public Library.
The post-janaza rally was addressed by among others, Red Crescent Society Chairman Haroon-Al- Rashid MP and other BNP leaders.
After the rally, BNP brought out a mourning procession in the town carrying the body of Habibullah.
The town wore a deserted look yesterday as most of the shops and markets remained closed and vehicles off the roads fearing further violence.
Three others were injured during the clashes when some youths hurled several bombs on a BNP procession at Kachari Pukurpar after Khaleda Zia's address to nation Friday evening. They are district Juba Dal president Md Emdadul Hasan, Chatra Dal activist Biddyuit Shah and Md Yeasin Mahmud.
Habibullah's death triggered violence by BNP activists in the town, who damaged shops, a diagnostic centre and the chamber of advocate Mahbubul Alam Khukan, president of Brahmanbaria Jubo League.
They also damaged vehicles and attacked policemen on streets.
At about 9 pm Friday, District Magistrate Md. Ali Akbar imposed Section 144 in the town to stave off further violence between the two parties.
Section 144 would be in force till further notice, Additional District Magistrate Banamali Bhaumik said yesterday.
Three platoons of BDR and riots police were deployed in the different areas of the town to control the situation, OC Md. Belal Uddin Tarafder said.
Police arrested five persons for interrogation in connection with Habibullah's murder. No case was filed till writing this report, police said.
Tangail
Activists of 14-party alliance yesterday vandalised BNP offices in Dhanbari and Basail upazila headquarters in the district while 20 people were injured in chase and counter-chase were between with BNP activists in Madhupur upazila yesterday, police and witnesses said.
Earlier, BNP and AL activists vandalised each other's party offices in Main Road area in Tangail town Friday evening.
No heavy vehicle plied Dhaka-Jamuna Bridge highway yesterday due to barricades put up by 14-party activists on different points. All shops and markets in the town remained closed.
Rival activists of BNP and Awami League brought out processions in the town carrying sticks and held rallies.
Clashes erupted when the rivals faced each other at Niralar More intersection in the town, leaving at least 100 people including 10 policemen injured. The clashes spread to Victoria Road, Main Road, and Kalibari Road areas in the town.
Police charged batons and lobbed at least 30 tear shells to control quell the violence.
A large number of policemen were deployed in the town as tension mounted after the clashes.
Khulna
Nine people were injured in clashes between BNP and Awami League at Dekbunglow square under Khulna thana. The clashes continued for about twenty minutes. The injured could not be identified immediately but Awami League said that three of its leaders are among the injured.
Police lobbed seven tear gas shells to quell the violence.
Awami League leaders claimed that the clashes erupted after BNP activists attacked their rally at Picture Palace intersection.
But city BNP convenor Ali Asgar Lobi refuted the allegation, blaming Awami League for the incident.
Satkhira
Activists and supporters of Awami League led 14-party alliance brought out a big procession, barricaded the Sadar Hospital road in the town and held a rally there to press electoral reforms and appointment of an 'acceptable' person as chief of the caretaker government.
Speakers at the rally vowed to resist the BNP- Jamaat politics in the district and to resist their program in the town today.
Earlier, 14-party activists attacked Jamaat lawmaker's office in the town and damaged and ransacked it. They also burnt a banner of Islami Chhatra Shibir, student front of the Jamaat, at Sadar Hospital road.
Demonstrators also pelted stones and damaged windowpanes of the office of Islami Insurance at Palashpole in the town.
At Shyamnagar, the 14-party activists torched a Jamaat office.
Moulvibazar
Leaders and workers of Awami League-led 14-party alliance brought out processions in Moulvibazar town, barricaded the Dhaka-Sylhet highway andf held a public meeting at Kusumbagh square.
Presence of BNP activists on town streets was seen very thin.
BNP also held a public meeting at Chowmuhana square. No untoward incident was reported from any area till filing of this report in the evening.
Nilphamari
BNP and its front organisations abandoned their earlier announced programme to bring out a procession in the town yesterday protesting what they had called anarchy created by Awami League. BNP leaders said they postponed the program to avoid confrontation.
BNP office was found deserted and few party leaders and workers were seen in public.
On the other hand, Awami League brought out a procession in the town, barricaded roads and held a rally.
Shops and business establishments remained closed yesterday out of panic.
Police have been deployed in front of BNP offices at the district town and in upazila headquarters, police sources said.
Kishoreganj
Residence of former uapzila BNP secretary Rafiqul Islam and offices of two BNP nomination seekers were ransacked by Awami League activists in Hussainpur upazila yesterday evening.
Angry AL activists after a rally at Pilot High School compound attacked and ransacked offices BNP nomination seekers Mirza Khokon (brother of Mirza Abbas) and Abdus Salam.
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