Banned Chhatra League holds Logi-Boitha March in Tungipara, sets police vehicle on fire
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Clashes broke out between police and activists of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League in Tungipara, Gopalganj, amid a nationwide student strike. A police vehicle was set on fire during the incident.
Police arrested eight people in connection with the incidents. They also seized seven motorcycles and recovered 15 unexploded crude bombs.
The incident took place at Tungipara intersection at around 10:30 am on Tuesday. A large number of Chhatra League leaders and activists gathered there with oars and poles at the initiative of the upazila unit. They staged protests by setting tires on fire. Activists of the upazila Awami League, Jubo League and their affiliated organizations also joined them. Later, they brought out a procession carrying oars and poles.
When police tried to stop the procession, a chase and counter-chase broke out between the two sides. At one-point, agitated activists set fire to a police vehicle. They later took positions with oars and poles at Tungipara intersection and nearby areas and continued their protests.
Additional members of law enforcement agencies were deployed from Gopalganj following the incident. Tensions were still prevailing in Tungipara when this report was filed.
Meanwhile, several crude bomb explosions and road blockades involving fires were reported at different locations in Gopalganj on Monday night over the student strike.
Activists of the banned Chhatra League detonated crude bombs at several locations, including the main gate of Gopalganj District School, the wall of the Government Women’s College, the wall of the passport office and the gate of the Government Technical School and College. The incidents triggered panic among local residents.
In addition, activists of the banned Awami League and Chhatra League blocked the Dhaka-Khulna highway by setting fires in the Bedgram area of the town. They also chanted various slogans. Torch processions and crude bomb explosions were also reported in Kotalipara.
Gopalganj Superintendent of Police Md Habibullah said police arrested eight people over Monday night’s incidents. Seven motorcycles were seized and 15 unexploded crude bombs were recovered.
He said the law-and-order situation across the district remained normal on Tuesday, except for one or two isolated incidents.
