Shawdesh desk:

Over 70 people were injured as the police charged batons at the leaders and activists of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party in Khulna on Friday while they were holding a rally to press home their 10-point charter of demands, including the resignation of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.

The opposition party held rallies in 28 district and divisional headquarters, including the capital Dhaka and other major cities, to also protest against price hikes, frequent power cuts, ghost cases, and corruption by the Awami League government.

New Age correspondents reported that police attack rallies in Khulna on Friday, while opposition activists were attacked in Feni on Thursday.

On May 13, the opposition party announced the countrywide protest in four segments at all 64 districts and eight divisional headquarters in the country starting on May 19.

The party will continue rallies on May 20, May 26, and May 27, all on weekends, to realise their demands.

In Khulna, the police charged opposition leaders and activists with batons and fired tear gas shells to disperse them in front of the Khulna Press Club at about 4:00pm.

At least 70 people were injured while police arrested 10 activists, said BNP’s Khulna Metropolitan unit convener, SM Shafikul Alam Mona.

Khulna city BNP member secretary Shafiqul Islam Tuhin claimed that several party leaders and activists including their leaders Mujibur Rahman and Jahidul Rahman sustained bullet injuries.

The BNP leader said that the injured included Digholia Senhati union ward leader Mujibur Rahman and Juba Dal leader Zahidur Rahman, adding that police attacked without provocation.

He said that the police even chased them when injured party activists were rushed to Khulna Medical  College Hospital for treatment.

He said that most of the Khulna Metropolitan Police senior officers were present when the attack was carried out.

The BNP leader also said that they sought permission to hold rallies in four places, but none was granted. The police later verbally allowed them to hold the rally in front of the Khulna Press Club.

He said that the police attacked when BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury was about to start his speech as chief guest.

Khulna Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner (south) Tajul Islam claimed that the BNP leaders held their programme by obstructing the road near Khulna Press Club.

He said as the police asked them to free the road, some ‘unruly’ leaders and activists threw stones, targeting their personnel.

He said they were forced to use tear gas and a gas gun. He said they have arrested 10 people in connection with the incident.

Eleven police personnel were injured in the clash, the police officer claimed.

New Age correspondent in Feni, meanwhile, reported that opposition leaders had alleged that the ruling Awami League supporters attacked their leaders and activists on Thursday, leaving over 50 people injured.

The BNP held a small rally in the district on Friday to press home their demands.

BNP’s Feni Municipality unit member secretary, Mezbah Uddin Bhuiyan, said that they organised a programme on Thursday as part of their campaign for Friday’s rally, but the ruling party leaders attacked them indiscriminately.

Feni district Awami League office secretary Shahidullah Khandker said they had not attacked; rather, it was a clash between the opposition factions.