Police have arrested 18 leaders and activists of the banned Chhatra League in connection with an attack on two BNP leaders and torching of their motorcycle during a rally allegedly organised in support of the banned Awami League in Gopalganj.

A case was filed against 106 named individuals and 200 to 300 unnamed people over the incident, with Emdadul Haque, general secretary of the Raityl Union BNP unit under Kashiani upazila, filing the case with Kashiani Police Station on Wednesday (July 16).

Police produced the arrested individuals before a court on Wednesday evening, which sent them to jail. During the court proceedings, journalists faced obstruction from police while trying to capture videos and photographs of the accused.

The accused chanted slogans including “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu”, “Amra Shobai Mujib Sena, Netri Moder Sheikh Hasina” and “Sheikh Hasina Ashbe, Bangladesh Hashbe” while being taken to court in a prison van.

According to the case statement and police sources, a large number of banned Chhatra League activists brought out a procession on the Dhaka-Khulna highway in Raityl area of Kashiani on Tuesday (July 15), protesting the killing incident that took place in Gopalganj on July 16 last year and the ban imposed on the Awami League.

At one stage, two BNP leaders who were present near Tilchhara area were allegedly assaulted by the protesters, and their motorcycle was set on fire. The demonstrators left the spot before police arrived.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Muksudpur Circle in Gopalganj Nafisur Rahman said a case was filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act over the assault on the BNP leaders, arson attack on their motorcycle, and holding a street rally in the name of a banned organisation.

“Eighteen people have been arrested and sent to jail through the court. Efforts are underway to arrest the remaining accused,” he added.

-HIS