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Clashes erupted in places across the country on Tuesday as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) took to the streets to press its one-point demand for polls under a non-partisan caretaker government, leaving one dead and many injured.
The clashes occurred in cities and districts, resulting in one fatality in Lakshmipur district and injury to at least 200 people.
As of 10 pm on Tuesday, reports indicated that clashes broke out in Dhaka, Rajbari, Khagrachhari, Kishoreganj, Feni and Laxmipur.
The confrontation involved BNP leaders and activists, ruling Awami League (AL) men, police and rival factions within the BNP.
Counteracting the BNP's demands, the AL also took to the streets with its 'Peace and Development' procession. The confrontations between the two parties and the police added to the "chaotic atmosphere", reports said.
In Lakshmipur, a young man lost his life and 50 others were injured during clashes between BNP and AL leaders and activists in the district town.
The violence erupted when BNP members tore down AL banners, leading to a chase and counter-chase at Samad Academy intersection. The confrontation resulted in BNP members pursuing some AL activists into a building, where one person was found dead and at least 50 others sustained injuries.
The deceased was identified as Sajib of Chandraganj.
In Dhaka, tensions escalated as BNP activists clashed with Chhatra League members near Mirpur Bangla College. The confrontation, lasting about 15-20 minutes, involved the burning of a motorcycle and a bicycle and caused several injuries. In response, BNP activists broke down the college gate.
The BNP held a rally at Gabtoli area, where top BNP leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, addressed the crowd. The procession commenced at around 11:30 am and reached old Dhaka's Raisaheb Bazar at 5:50 pm, passing through various points.
However, when the march reached Bangla College, clashes ensued as Bangladesh Chhatra League activists hurled brick chips, leading to further confrontations and attacks.
In the capital, the AL organised a procession that started from the Engineers Institution premises in Ramna and moved towards Dhanmondi 32. As a result of the two concurrent political events, severe traffic congestion occurred, causing frustration among commuters at key points such as Farmgate, Shahbag, Paltan, and Gulistan.
One commuter, Mohidul Islam, found himself stuck for nearly half an hour in the Shahbagh area while travelling from Farmgate to Gulistan. "The commute in Dhaka is usually difficult due to traffic, which gets worse during such political activities," he said.
In Khagrachhari, over a hundred people sustained injuries as AL and BNP activists clashed at the Shapla Chattar area around 10:30 am. The clashes broke out as the two groups held separate processions in the city.
Similarly, Rajbari experienced violent confrontations between two factions of the BNP, leading to injuries of at least 15 leaders and activists. The incident occurred at Shaheed Muktijoddha Smriti Chattar around 11:30 am on Tuesday, where the groups supporting former Rajbari-1 MP Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam and Rajbari BNP convener Liakat Ali, along with former general secretary Harun-or-Rashid, engaged in the clashes, causing damage to the BNP office.
In Kishoreganj, BNP activists and journalists suffered injuries during confrontations with the police while participating in the BNP's march. Despite police obstruction, the procession attempted to move forward, leading to escalated tensions with baton charges and tear shell firings, which disrupted traffic and business activities.
The BNP's pre-scheduled program initially planned to extend from Gurudayal Government College ground to Rathkhola Maidan in Kishoreganj.
In Feni, at least 50 people sustained injuries during clashes among BNP and Awami League leaders and activists and the police. The incident occurred during the BNP's program at Islampur road in Feni district town on Tuesday.
Hundreds of BNP leaders and activists brought out a procession from the Daudpur area in the district town. When the procession reached Islampur road around 4 pm, the police obstructed them, leading to a chase and counter-chase. A group of Awami League leaders and activists, who were holding a peaceful rally near Feni Shaheed Minar, also became involved in the clashes.