BGB patrol tense Barisal

The authorities have deployed members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in Barisal city as tension escalated over the attack on Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Munibur Rahman and the ruling party men clashing with the law enforcers.

Deputy Commissioner Jasim Uddin Haider on Thursday afternoon said that they had decided to deploy 10 platoons of BGB and called in 10 executive magistrates to bring the situation under control. The decision was made at an emergency meeting held at the DC’s official residence.

Police have so far arrested at least 12 leaders and activists of the Awami League and Chhatra League in connection with the two cases filed over the attack on the UNO on Wednesday night.

The arrestees include city unit Awami League Joint General Secretary Hassan Mahmud Babu, Relief Secretary Moazzem Hossain Firoz and Chhatra League Vice President Oliullah Oli.

UNO Munibur filed a case while police lodged the other against more than 100 unnamed persons, Kotwali police Officer-in-Charge Nurul Islam said.

“We have arrested the persons after scrutinizing the CCTV footage and based on information by witnesses and intelligence. We are conducting raids to arrest the others involved in the attack on the UNO,” he added.

The UNO’s official residence on Sadar Upazila Complex premises came under attack around 10pm on Wednesday over the removal of posters and banners.

At least seven people suffered bullet wounds and 25 others were injured in clashes among the members of police and Ansar, and the Awami League leaders and activists.

According to witnesses, the city corporation employees went to the residence UNO Munibur Rahman to lower a banner hung to mark the National Mourning Day.

At one stage, the UNO came out and enquired about the matter, leading to an altercation with Swapan Kumar Das, a staffer of the city corporation.

During the altercation, some 25-30 people entered the complex and a scuffle broke out between the Ansar members and the so-called mob over the issue, triggering a clash.

The Ansar members opened fire on them, leaving seven injured. They were admitted to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

On information, police rushed to the spot and charged batons to disperse them.

Some 25 people were injured in the clash with the police and Ansar.

Shahabuddin Khan, police commissioner of Barisal, said: "A police team rushed to the spot where the attackers threw brick-bats on them. Three policemen and two Ansar members were injured during the incident.”

The mob also vandalized a bus in the area at night, he added.

UNO Munibur Rahman said: “Some 15-20 people identifying themselves as Chattra League members entered the complex. Later, some 60-70 people also entered the complex and went to the first floor of the building. They also tried to attack me but the Ansar members protected me."

Barisal City Corporation Mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah said: "The city corporation staffers went there to perform their duties but the Ansar members swooped on them.” He demanded a probe into the clash.

Bus services resume

Meanwhile, bus services resumed after six hours on Thursday as transport workers lifted the blockade on Dhaka-Barisal highway, called in protest against the clashes, reports UNB.

The transport workers, including the supporters of the city mayor, activists of Chhatra League and Jubo League, blocked the highway in Rupatoli and Nathullabad bus terminal areas in the early hours of Wednesday.

Besides, launch services also resumed. Earlier, the supporters of the mayor did not allow any passenger vessel to leave the terminal, causing immense sufferings to the commuters.