Clash with police leaves 20 Juba Dal men injured, 19 detained in Cumilla, Khulna

A clash with the police in Cumilla has left 20 members of Juba Dal injured, with 19 arrests made subsequently in two districts including Khulna.

In Cumilla, police detained 10 men during the clash that took place outside the Cumilla South District BNP office around 5pm on Friday, said Cumilla Metropolis Juba Dal Convener Foisal Hossain Pavel. 

The demonstration, organised by the Cumilla South District and Metropolis unit of Juba Dal, aimed to demand the release of Abdul Monayem Munna, the general secretary of Juba Dal's central executive committee, who had been repeatedly arrested outside jail gate.

The clash erupted when the procession reached the Kandirpar party office, as police blocked its progress, leading to a chase and counter-chase between the two groups.

Foisal Pavel stated that they had been peacefully conducting the programme, but the situation escalated when some outsiders began hurling brick chips at the police, who were already in an aggressive mood.

Ahmed Sanjur Morshed, the officer-in-charge at Kotwali Model Thana, claimed that the protesters started hurling brickbats without provocation. He added that they detained 10 individuals at the scene.

In Khulna, the Police on Friday arrested nine leaders and activists of Juba Dal from a procession outside the BNP party office on KD Ghosh Road in the city at 5pm.

The procession was held by the Khulna district and metropolis unit of Juba Dal, demanding the release of Abdul Monayem Munna, general secretary of the Central Executive Committee of Juba Dal.

Khulna District Juba Dal Office Secretary Mostafizur Rahman Ajibar said, "We carried out our programme peacefully. The police arrested our leaders and activists unjustly. 

"So far we have confirmed that nine of our men have been arrested by the police. This number may increase."

When asked about the matter, Khulna Metropolitan Police Southern Area Deputy Commissioner Tajul Islam said, "According to the electoral code of conduct, if you want to hold any kind of rally at this time [election campaign period], you have to take the permission of the returning officer. The Juba Dal leaders were forewarned about this. 

"Some of them were arrested while marching in violation of the rules [of the electoral code of conduct]. Action will be taken against them as per law."

It should be noted that Khulna City Corporation elections will be held on 12 June.