Amid an attack in Banani, BNP held a candlelight vigil in the capital on Saturday evening in protest against the price hike in fuel and daily essentials and the killing of three opposition activists in police firing.
Hundreds of leaders and activists of the party's Dhaka South City unit, led by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, joined the program holding candles in front of its Nayapaltan central office, shortly after dusk.
A separate chapter of the same program was also planned by the North City unit, to be held concurrently at Kamal Ataturk Avenue, the main thoroughfare in Banani, under the leadership of BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain - this one ended up being targeted by ruling party activists and affiliates.
Towards the end of the program in Banani, a group of ruling party activists, mostly drawn from Chhatra League and Jubo League, attacked the opposition supporters in what witnesses described as 'a planned way' - seemingly designed to provoke a disproportionate reaction.
Opposition leaders, workers and activists were attacked with brick chips, rods and sticks, leaving at least 10 people injured, including BNP standing committee member Selima Rahman, joint secretary general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, and executive committee member Tabith Awal.
Tabith was admitted to United Hospital with wounds to his head.
BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan alleged that the activists of Awami League and its affiliate organisations suddenly appeared and attacked the opposition's "peaceful program," with brick chips and sticks. They did not even spare BNP's women activists, he added.
Earlier, speaking in Nayapaltan, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir said: "We are observing this program by lighting candles in search of new light for a free democratic society. Let's send out a message through this program that people of all countries are united in saying 'no' to this terrible fascist government.”
Before the attack occurred, Khandaker Mosharraf did manage to address the program in Banani.
“There are no human rights in the country, while democracy has been murdered," Mosharraf said in his speech. "The economy is on the verge of collapse. The increase in the price of goods has left people in the lurch. They are also fed up with loadshedding. This is our program to protest all these matters."
"Let's say 'no' to this government through his program,” he added.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir visited Taibith at the hospital.
Talking to reporters, Fakhrul strongly condemned the attack and demanded the immediate arrest of the offenders.
“The Awami League cadres suddenly attacked our programme at Banani where our senior leaders, including Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Selima Rahman, were present. They’re carrying out terrorist attacks to thwart our movement.