At least 12 BNP activists were injured in a clash between them and police that erupted during the party's sit-in program in Khulna city.
Nitai Roy Chowdhury, vice-chairman of BNP central committee, said they were peacefully observing their pre-announced sit-in in front of their party office around 3.30pm when
they came under attack by the police.
The law enforcers fired tear shells and rubber bullets, leaving 12 BNP leaders and activists injured, Nitai Roy said in a press briefing at the party office after the clash.
"We had to fire five rounds of rubber bullets and seven rounds of tear shells to bring the situation under control,” said Md. Tajul Islam, deputy commissioner (South) of Khulna Metropolitan Police.
Later police surrounded the BNP office on K D Ghosh Road, confining hundreds of activists, including central leaders of BNP. Police arrested 5 BNP activists in connection with the clash.
Meanwhile, police detained seven BNP leaders and activists, including District BNP convener Abu Sayed from Rajshahi during their sit-in.
Other detainees are, Professor Mozaffar Hossain, member secretary of Paba upazila unit BNP, Kamruzzaman Mridha, general secretary of Charghat Upazila Lakshmipur Union unit BNP, Shalua Degree College teacher Emdadul Haque, Swapan of Bagha upazila, Munir Hossain of Bagmara Ramrama village and Aminul Islam of Godagari.
As part of the movement to oust the incumbents, BNP, its associate bodies, and like-minded parties observed two-hour sit-ins protest in all divisional cities and district towns on Saturday to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.