DHAKA, July 31: At least 35 people, including five journalists, were injured in a violent clash between the leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and National Citizens Party (NCP) during a protest rally in Cumilla. The incident occurred after NCP supporters organized a rally to protest against alleged propaganda and conspiracy against the local government advisor of the interim government, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain. The leaders and activists chased each other while throwing bricks and stones, causing panic in the area.
Eyewitnesses reported that Asif’s followers raised slogans like ‘Direct action against extortionists’, ‘Catch extortionists, throw them in jail’, and ‘Muradnagar’s soil, Asif’s base’, but suddenly stones and bricks were thrown at them from the opposite side. Both BNP and NCP supporters hurled brickbats at each other, injuring five journalists present at the scene.
The attack was allegedly orchestrated by the followers of former MP and BNP Vice Chairman Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad. BNP’s Muradnagar unit convener Mahiuddin Anjan denied the allegation, stating that their protest was against false cases filed by Asif Mahmud and initiated the clash under police protection.
The parties that collaborated with student leaders and Yunus to overthrow the democratically elected Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are now violently attacking each other, and the much-flaunted unity that was on full display during the ousting of Hasina seems to be fading gradually. (IANS)
