New Market clashes: BNP leader Makbul held

Police detectives on Friday arrested former New Market thana BNP President Makbul Hossain in a case filed for obstructing police in performing duties, assaulting law enforcement officers, and damaging property during the clashes between students of Dhaka College and traders in New Market area.

Confirming the arrest Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Faruq Hossain said they held Makbul from the city’s Adabor area this evening.

Earlier, more than 1,300 people were booked in three separate cases filed connection with the violent clashes between Dhaka College students and New Market traders that claimed two lives, reports UNB.

On Wednesday, Yeamin Kabir, inspector (investigation) of New Market Police Station lodged an FIR against 24 identified people, including Makbul, and 900 unidentified students and traders.

Charges were pressed against them for carrying out attacks on police that left some of the cops injured, officials said.

Another FIR was lodged at the same police station on a complaint from sub-Inspector Mehedi Hasan for obstructing cops from discharging their duties and carrying out vandalism. As many as 200 unidentified people were made accused in this case.

Two people died and more than 30 people, including journalists and students, were injured as the students of Dhaka College clashed with the traders of New Market at the Nilkhet intersection from midnight on Monday to Tuesday.

Shopkeepers, however, alleged that the students were beaten up as they had refused to foot the bill at an eatery.