The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) granted permission for the BNP and Awami League to conduct a rally, provided that it remained peaceful throughout. Regrettably, this commitment was violated even before the scheduled rally on Saturday began. BNP supporters initiated unexpected acts of aggression, including an attack on the Chief Justice’s residence at approximately 1 am. This act of violence triggered subsequent clashes that extended to various areas of the capital, including Kakrail, Paltan, Shantinagar, and Arambagh.
You can also read: Jamaat’s Illegal Rally Sparks Voilence in Dhaka
During a critical juncture in the conflict, a police officer lost his life in a confrontation with leaders and supporters of the party near the BNP’s massive assembly in Nayapaltan, located in the capital city. The identity of the fallen officer remained undisclosed at that moment. He displayed evident signs of injuries on his head and bore a uniform that had been torn due to the physical altercation.
Gathering of BNP Men
Earlier in the morning, BNP men started gathering in processions in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan office since 6:00am. The crowd of BNP activists at the intersection swelled following a clash between BNP and Awami League members at approximately 11:30 am.
The clash between the police and BNP members began at approximately 1:00 pm in the vicinity of Kakrail mosque and subsequently extended to the Nightingale intersection.
At that time BNP members were seen throwing bricks from the direction of Nayapaltan and Shantinagar. The situation involved chases and counter-chases between the police and BNP members.
Commencement of Vandalism
During the clash between BNP and the police, a significant number of Molotov cocktails were detonated. Additionally, BNP activists set a police box in Kakrail on fire. Furthermore, troublemakers ignited a car in front of the audit building in Kakrail, with one fire service unit successfully containing the blaze.
Simultaneously, the police responded by firing tear gas canisters. The stretch of road from Kakrail Masjid Junction to Justice Bhavan has transformed into a battleground.
Before this, around 11 o’clock, clashes erupted between BNP and Awami League activists in front of the judge’s residence. During this confrontation, BNP activists were involved in the vandalism of a bus and several pickups.
Prior to these incidents, complaints were filed against BNP activists for damaging several buses in front of Kakrail Mosque. Around noon, some individuals vandalized a vehicle from Baisakhi Paribahan, followed by others targeting a bus from Gazipur Paribahan.
Clashes were reported spanning from the Chief Justice’s residence to the Nightingale intersection. BNP activists were observed hurling bricks, while the police responded by deploying tear gas.
Eyewitness reporters at the scene observed that Sheikh Nasser, a multimedia reporter working for Ittefaq, had been providing coverage of the BNP rally since the morning. The incident occurred at around 1 o’clock when BNP leaders and activists clashed with the police in front of the Kakrail mosque. During this confrontation, Nasser was live on the scene, reporting in real-time. To the surprise of those present, he was suddenly attacked by BNP leaders.
Bus Arson
Within the span of just one hour, three buses were deliberately ignited in various locations of the capital, including Kakrail, Malibagh, and Kamalapur, on a Saturday between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm. The initial incident occurred at approximately 4:30 pm when a Balaka transport bus was set ablaze near the Malibagh-Mouchak flyover. Simultaneously, another bus, operated by BRTC, was set on fire in the Kamalapur area.
In the meantime, the BNP has declared a day-long nationwide hartal, scheduled to take place from morning to evening, as a form of protest against the alleged assault on the Mahasambesh.
