BNP and Awami League supporters have clashed in Durgapur Upazila, Rajshahi, even as police foiled BNP efforts to bring out black-flag processions in the city.
The BNP demonstration was part of its show of countrywide protest against the first session of the 10th parliament getting under way.
Police fired several rounds on Wednesday to stop the clash between the supporters of the two parties.
Both parties blamed each other for the violence.
BNP Upazila Vice President Rezaul Karim Reza said Awami League supporters had attacked a procession brought out by BNP supporters at the Upazila crossing around 1pm.
The Upazila unit of the ruling party’s student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League, however, refuted the claim.
Upazila Chhatra League general secretary Sharifuzzaman Sharif said that the marchers had attacked them at the Upazila crossing.
“They damaged four motorcycles. We were forced to retaliate in self-defence,” he said.
Durgapur Police Station OC Saiful Islam told bdnews24.com that they had to fire several rounds and burst teargas canisters to quell the disturbance.
Meanwhile, police foiled the BNP’s black flag procession in Rajshahi city, while letting the party hold a rally.
Boalia Model Police Station OC Ziaur Rahman Zia told bdnews24.com, “We stopped the procession, apprehending sabotage.”
BNP-led 18-Party Alliance is holding black-flag processions across Bangladesh as a show of protest against holding of the first session of the 10th Parliament on Wednesday.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had on Jan 15 announced the programme, terming the government illegal.
Although the police refused the alliance permission to bring out such processions, the BNP had insisted on holding ward-level black-flag demonstrations in Dhaka City.
Source: Bd news24