At least 20 people, including journalists, have been injured after BNP men clashed with police during a protest rally in Natore.
The incident took place in front of the Alaipur party office in Natore town.around 10:30 am on Monday.
According to the police, BNP leaders and activists started the rally demanding release of Khaleda Zia and her treatment abroad. They blocked a side of the road and police tried to stop them.
At one point of the argument, the clash broke out. Later, police fired several rounds of blank shots and tear gas to control the situation.
Sabina Yasmin, BNP leader and wife former deputy minister Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu, however, claimed that police attacked on their men even before they started the rally. Twenty of their leaders and activists, including herself, were injured in the incident.
Meanwhile, Natore Sadar police station Officer-in-Charge Abu Sadad said: "We did not obstruct the BNP rally. They had no permission to hold a rally and were also blocking the road.
"When we tried to stop them they attacked on us and we had to retaliate in self-defense."
Natore Superintendent of Police Liton Kumar Shah said seven members of the police were injured in the incident and are being treated at the headquarters.
Banglavision's Natore correspondent Kamrul Islam and Daily Jugantar's Natore correspondent Shahidul Haque Sarkar, who also got injured, were admitted to Natore Sadar Hospital.
