BNP on Wednesday alleged that police attacked its peaceful rally in Habiganj and sprayed bullets indiscriminately on its leaders and activists, leaving around 300 injured.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi made the allegation at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office.

“As the rally began in front of our party office in Habiganj’s Shaistanagar at noon, police attacked the rally without any provocation and opened fire indiscriminately, injuring over 300 leaders and activists,” he said.

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As part of their countrywide programme, Rizvi said Habiganj district unit BNP arranged the rally demanding party chairperson Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad.

BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain was present at the rally as the chief guest, while its chairperson’s adviser Zainul Abedin Farroque as special guest.

Rizvi said the injured include Habiganj district Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) organising secretary Rajib Ahmed Ringan, Jubo Dal general secretary Jalal, BNP leader Advocate Sharif,  JCD leaders Saidur Rahman, Arshad, Abdul Aahad Tushar, Matshajibi Dal leader Mobarak Hossain, Shipon Ahmed Shahjahan and Zahir Ali.

“It’s a barbaric, cowardice and nasty attack by police on a peaceful rally in Habiganj. This illegitimate regime has carried out the attack to perpetuate its power. We express our deep concern and strongly condemn and protest the police attack,” he said.

The BNP leader said the government is considering sticks and bullets as its resort after being isolated from people and the international community.

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“Awami Nazism has now taken an extreme turn and it’s trying to smell the blood. It’s practising violent terrorism by usurping power through indulging in enforced disappearance, killing and extrajudicial killings,” he observed.

Rizvi alleged that the government has turned police into a deadly weapon of it for carrying out terrorist activities. “Whenever they see a procession or rally, recognised in a democracy, they let loose police to foil it.”