Activists from BNP’s two affiliated organisations on Monday attacked a Victory Day discussion round of Jatiya Nagorik Committee in Barishal city, leaving five including a female leader injured. The injured were later provided with first aid treatment.

The incident happened near the Bibir Pukur and in front of the Barishal city Awami League office.

A complaint has been filed in this regard with the Kotwali Model Police Station, and Officer-in-Charge Mizanur Rahman has assured the victims of taking due legal actions over the incident.

However, police were present at the time of the incident but did not intervene.

Eyewitnesses and Jatiya Nagorik Committee (JNC) activists told reporters that Chhatra Dal and Krishak Dal members appeared on the spot shortly after JNC’s rally began around 11am.

The BNP-allied activists branded JNC’s programme as pro-Awami League, and started tearing up banners and throwing chairs.

They also started beating JNC members severely, leaving the organisation’s central joint member secretary Mahmuda Mitu and four others injured.

Sayeed Talukder, member secretary of Krishak Dal’s Barishal city unit, told reporters that some in the JNC rally were calling for the return of fascist Awami League (AL) government, annoying Krishak Dal activists.

A brief scuffle erupted over the pro-AL slogans, but senior Krishak Dal leaders prevented a major flare-up, Sayeed said.