One killed in clash between police and BNP activists in Panchgarh

A person named Abdur Rashid Arefin (50) was killed during the clash between the police and BNP leaders and activists in Panchgarh on Saturday.

The deceased was the joint convener of Maidandighi Union BNP of Boda Upazila in the district.

This incident took place during the BNP's mass rally on Saturday afternoon when the activists locked into a clash with the police.

Resident Medical Officer at Panchagarh Modern Sadar Hospital, Towfiq Ahmed, said an injured man named Arefin was brought to the hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. The precise cause of death can be confirmed after an autopsy, he said.

As part of BNP’s movement for pressing home the 10-point demand it unveiled at its Dhaka divisional rally on December 10, the party's Panchagarh-based leaders and activists gathered at the local party office on Saturday around noon, said witnesses.

Before they could bring out any procession though, the law enforcers released tear shells and fired rubber bullets to disperse the gathering, according to witnesses. Those who protested the police's actions were baton-charged.

The BNP activists eventually dispersed, and then a series of chase-counterchase ensued, that continued for nearly 90 minutes. The BNP activists at this stage resorted to throwing brick chips at police.

It was only after additional backup forces arrived in the evening, that the police were able to finally take control of the situation well after 6 pm.

Panchagarh Superintendent of Police SM Sirajul Huda held a press briefing in the evening, where he denied the allegation and claimed Arefin was a cardiac patient and died of a heart attack. He also claimed there were no signs of injury on Arefin’s dead body, and his postmortem will be done on Sunday.

"Police were forced to fire the tearshells and rubber bullets for their safety, as BNP activists vandalised public property and attacked police," SP Huda said.

Among the injured, some 25 are opposition activists, while 12 are from police, SP Huda disclosed.

He said a case will be filed against the BNP activists for attacking police, obstructing government activity and damaging public property.