Titas Chakrobarty, Khulna Correspondent
A street in Khulna turned into a battleground as the supporters of BNP clashedwith the city police. They were demanding the release of party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and her better treatment abroad. At least 25 people, including journalist and BNP city president Nazrul Islam Manju, were injured. Police arrested several people in the incident but did not comment on the matter. The clash took place under the BNP office at KD Ghosh Road around 11:30 am on Monday. Police fired a few rounds of tear gas to control the situation.

Eyewitnesses, BNP leaders and activists said that the BNP organized the rally in the metropolitan areas at around 11 am as per the central program. Processions from different areas joined the rally. Police, led by Sadar Police Station OC Hasan Al Mamun, tried to disperse the protesters at around 11:30 am. At that time leaders of different levels were giving speeches in the assembly. At one stage, when the BNP cadres started moving away, the police started beating them. Leaders and activists entered the party office with batons. At around 12:15 pm, another procession started coming towards the BNP office on the Burmese road and clashed with the police. At that time BNP activists targeted the police and threw bricks. The whole area became a battlefield. Police fired 2/3 rounds of tear gas to bring the situation under control.

Debabrata Roy, a photojournalist of the local daily Janmabhoomi, Abdul Halim of Samay TV, Saddam Hussein, a photojournalist of ProthomAlo, Md. Ibrahim, Amir Sohail of Jamuna TV was injured. Of these, two stitches have been given on Debu’s head and three on Halim’s head.

On the other hand, at least 20 people including Moniruzzaman Moni, the city BNP president; Nazrul Islam Monju, former mayor and city general secretary; Mir Kaysed, Abdur Rahim, Harun, Asabur Rahman, Hedu, Pilot, Nazrul Islam Babu were injured. BNP has claimed that 10-15 people were detained in the area till 2 pm.­