55 including 30 police hurt in clash

At least 55 people including 30 policemen were injured in clashes between law enforcers and members of the Islami Chhatra Majlish in the Baitul Mukarram Mosque area yesterday.

Angry members of the Islamist outfit set two police motorcycles ablaze. Traffic at the Paltan crossing remained suspended for about half an hour.

When contacted, Paltan police chief Farid Ahmed said, "About 55 people including AC Motijhell Pankaj Chandra Roy and 30 policeman were injured.

Two police motorbikes were set on fire." The Injured policeman were under treatments at Police Line Hospital in Rajarbag in the city. Witness said hundreds of protesters gathered at the North Gate of Baitul Mukarram demanding cancellation of the National Women's Development Policy. The law enforcers remained alert around Paltan during the demonstration.

At on stage, the leaders and workers of the Islamist outfit attacked the police triggering clashes, witnesses said.

As Islami Chhatra Majlish activists tried to force their way into the surrounding mosques police put up roadblocks on the Paltan crossing and resorted to throwing stone, pieces of brick and batons charge against the police. 25 of Islami Chhatra Majlish activists were injured as police charged batons on them.

Witness said, police had obstructed the Islami Chhatra Majlish men when they wanted to move out of the Baitul Mukarram Mosque after Zohr prayers to submit a memorandum to the chief adviser demanding cancellation of the National Women's Development Policy.

A number of vehicles were ransacked. The Baitul Mukarram market had remained briefly closed.