BNP activists say ‘obstructed’ from joining rally, clash with police at Khulna Station

BNP activists clashed with police at Khulna Railway Station today, alleging that they were being obstructed from joining the party's divisional rally.

Karim Molla, a BNP activist from Khulna’s Rupsha upazila, said that he and other fellow activists of the party reached Khulna station in the morning and as they were heading outside to check into a nearby hotel, police obstructed and questioned them.

“During questioning about where they were going and the reason for coming to Khulna, some BNP activists got agitated and an altercation started,” he said.

Around 11:30am, BNP activists coming from different parts of the country got into “a fight amongst themselves” and vandalized some window glasses at the station, Khulna station master Manik Chandra Sarkar said.

When police came to the spot after being informed, BNP activists threw brick chips and vandalized more doors and windows of the station, he said.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan police Sonali Sen said police didn't obstruct anyone and tried to handle the situation patiently.

Tajul Islam, Railway Labour Union Genertal Secretary told UNB the situation at the rail station is peaceful at the moment as the rally began.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Awami League has claimed that BNP-Jamaat men attacked Khulna Railway Station and ransacked it.

“Bangladesh Railway is our national asset. It is the responsibility of all to protect it,” AL said in a message from its verified Facebook page.