At least 15 people, including two policemen and a member of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), were killed and 500 others injured, 200 with bullets, in a violent clash between the activists of Hefajat-e-Islam and police at Shimrail intersection on Dhaka-Chittagong Highway here early Monday.
Among the deceased, three were identified as Shah Alam,a BGB member, constable Zakaria Mollah, 44, son of late Akbar Ali of Baliapara village in Bhanga upazila and Nayek Feroz Khan, 53, son of Kanchan Khan of Noyapara village in Alfadanga upazila of Faridpur district.
Police said the clash with the joint force of police, Rapid Action Battalion and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) broke out when Hefajat activists tried to block the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway at Shimrail intersection after Fazr prayers around 5:30am as they were driven away by law enforcers from Shapla Chattar in Motijheel area.
Later, the Hefajat activists torched a vehicle of BGB and two of police.
Police lobbed several rounds of teargas shells and fired shots to quell the violence, leaving three of the Hefajat activists dead and 100 others injured.
Of the injured, two BGB members–Shah Alalm and Lablu– and four policemen–constable Zakaria, Pannu Mia and Nayek Feroz, Armed police sub-inspector Solaiman –were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where Shah Alam, Zakaria and Feroz were pronounced dead by doctors. The others were admitted to several local hospitals and clinics.
The unruly activists of the Islamist group also attacked Siddhirganj Power Station during the clash.
Police and Rab members also entered Madaninagar Madrasah in Kanchpur area and fired gunshots around.
The bodies of the three deceased were taken to Narayanganj General Hospital.
Source: UNB Connect
