One person was killed and 50 others injured when a violent clash broke out between BNP activists and police at the city's Nayapaltan area on Wednesday afternoon.
The deceased has been identified as Makbul Hossain, Dhaka Medical College Hospital Police outpost in-charge Bachchu Mia said.
Witnesses said the entire Nayapaltan area turned into a battleground following a violent clash that broke out between BNP activists and police in front of the BNP's central office at Nayapaltan.
The clash erupted when BNP leaders and activists tried to assemble in front of the party office around 3:00pm. Police lobbed tear gas shells and charged batons on the BNP activists, triggering a clash.
At one stage of the clash, police turned desperate and fired hundreds of rubber bullets at the BNP leaders and activists, leaving dozens of them injured.
In reply, BNP activists also pelted brick chips towards police.
It was found that many BNP leaders and activists received multiple bullet injuries during the clash.
During the clash, more than 100 BNP leaders and activists took shelter inside the party's central office.
Earlier at about 12 noon, dozens of prison vans and additional striking forces were assembled at Nayapaltan area.
Main opposition BNP wants to hold its pre-announced divisional rally at Nayapaltan on Saturday (December 10) next. However, police have given permission to the party to hold its rally at Suhrawardy Udyan though BNP said they would not hold their rally there. The government is now holding informal talks with BNP about an alternative venue. Talks are going on to hold the rally at Dhupkhola ground in Old Dhaka. Amid the talks, BNP leaders and activists started thronging the party's central office premises. As police intercepted the peaceful rally of BNP, clash broke out between them, leaving one dead and more than 50 others injured.
Witnesses said the BNP leaders and activists have started thronging the party's central office premises since Tuesday night. Visiting Nayapaltan area on Wednesday morning, it was found that hundreds of leaders and workers of BNP and its sister concerns started demonstrating.
