Fakhrul blames police for Naya Paltan clash

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday blamed police for the clash in front of their Naya Paltan central office and said it will only hamper the election atmosphere, reports UNB.

"The government is trying to ruin the election atmosphere by attacking our leaders and activists. This is unfortunate that law enforcers attacked our leaders and activists," he said.

Fakhrul made the remarks while talking to reporters just before joining the meeting between Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Front delegation and the election commission at Nirbachan Bhaban.

He urged the government not to create any such incident further in the days to come. "We also call upon (govt) to ensure a congenial election atmosphere."

The meeting began around 3:30pm where Kamal and other Oikya Front leaders are supposed to talk about their various demands, including the deferment of the national election, and observations on the election.

Earlier in the day, a fierce clash broke out between police and BNP leaders and activists in front of BNP's Naya Paltan central office, leaving an unspecified number of people, including law enforcers, injured.

Witnesses said BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas along with his several hundred supporters marched towards their party office around 12:40pm and started staging a showdown there before buying party's nomination paper, halting traffic on the road.

The clash ensued as police locked into an altercation with the BNP leaders and activists over clearing road for vehicular movement.