90 BNP Leaders, Activists Held Following Clashes: DMP

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) reports that at least 90 BNP officials and activists have been detained in relation to incidents in which they clashed with law enforcement.

According to DMP Deputy Police Commissioner Md Faruque Hossain, lawsuits have been filed against them at various police stations.

He said that in defiance of the DMP's prohibition on today's sit-in program, BNP members assaulted police officers and set fire to vehicles, injuring at least 20 of them.

Faruque, the deputy police commissioner, also stated that attempts are being made to find additional BNP participants in today's altercation. 

During the incident, BNP members also damaged 20 additional public transportation vehicles in addition to at least 10 police cars, he said.

The BNP declared sit-ins at key entrance points to Dhaka on Saturday as part of its all-out effort to topple the Awami League administration and hold the forthcoming presidential election under a nonpartisan government during a large gathering held in the capital's Nayapaltan on Friday.  

Additionally, the opposition party urged its leaders and supporters to remain in the streets until the administration resigned.

On the other side, the Awami League swore to thwart the opposition movement at all costs.

At the south entrance of Baitul Mukarram on Friday, three of the Awami League's allied organizations also organized a gathering.

The Awami League also planned organizing events at the city's entrance gates after the BNP launched its sit-in campaign.

Public transportation operators are concerned because of the concurrent programs of the bitter rivals on the same day.

Ahead of the anticipated sit-ins, more police officers and representatives of other law enforcement agencies have been stationed at Dhaka's key exits.