12 injured in BCL–police clash in Ctg

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists clashed with the police at the Stadium area of Chittagong yesterday, leaving at least 12 people, including three policemen, injured. The injured were identified as sub-inspector Shahid Rahman, constable Pinku Dey of Kowtali Police station said Chittagong Medical College Hospital sources. The identity of other member of police could not be known while the rest of injured are BCL activists—including BCL leader Liton Chowdhury. They pierce bullets and undergoing treatment at CMCH.  The students were demanding that the construction of a swimming pool at the outer Stadium area be stopped. They staged a demonstration and vandalised the swimming pool construction site. On Sunday, the BCL’s Chittagong city unit had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to stop the construction of the swimming pool. They claimed it was destroying the playground for emerging players. They had also submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner of Chittagong district administration to press for their demand.
Around 4pm, the BCL activists tried to barge into the construction area. When the police blocked their way, they squatted on the road, halting traffic at Kazirdewari, Lalkhanbazar, Love Lane, Jamal Khan Road, and Almas Cinema Circle areas.
Around 4.20 pm yesterday, the activists broke through the police barricade and vandalised the construction site. They hurled brickbats at the policemen, injuring three of them. The police retaliated by charging them with batons. In all, 12 people were injured. Their identities could not be known immediately.
Former Chittagong mayor and president of the city unit of AL, ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, has been demanding for some time that the construction of the pool be stopped because the Muktijuddher Bijoy Mela is held here every year.
Chowdhury and present mayor AJM Nasir Uddin had declared at a programme on Monday that they have no enmity and would work jointly for the development of the city. But the BCL activists, known to be loyal to Chowdhury, proved otherwise by vandalising the pool.
The Swimming Pool Implementation Committee pointed out at a press briefing yesterday that a playground and swimming pool are “two sides of the same coin”. “Some people are opposing the construction of the swimming pool due to lack of knowledge,” said a member.
Ali Abbas, the convener of the committee and vice-president of the Chittagong Divisional Sports Organisation, Siraj Uddin Mohammad Alamgir, general secretary of the Chittagong Divisional Sports Organisation, and Syed Shahabuddin Shamin, additional secretary of the Chittagong District Sports Organisation, among others, were present at the press briefing.

12 injured in BCL–police clash in Ctg

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists clashed with the police at the Stadium area of Chittagong yesterday, leaving at least 12 people, including three policemen, injured. The injured were identified as sub-inspector Shahid Rahman, constable Pinku Dey of Kowtali Police station said Chittagong Medical College Hospital sources. The identity of other member of police could not be known while the rest of injured are BCL activistsincluding BCL leader Liton Chowdhury. They pierce bullets and undergoing treatment at CMCH. The students were demanding that the construction of a swimming pool at the outer Stadium area be stopped. They staged a demonstration and vandalised the swimming pool construction site. On Sunday, the BCLs Chittagong city unit had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to stop the construction of the swimming pool. They claimed it was destroying the playground for emerging players. They had also submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner of Chittagong district administration to press for their demand. Around 4pm, the BCL activists tried to barge into the construction area. When the police blocked their way, they squatted on the road, halting traffic at Kazirdewari, Lalkhanbazar, Love Lane, Jamal Khan Road, and Almas Cinema Circle areas. Around 4.20 pm yesterday, the activists broke through the police barricade and vandalised the construction site. They hurled brickbats at the policemen, injuring three of them. The police retaliated by charging them with batons. In all, 12 people were injured. Their identities could not be known immediately. Former Chittagong mayor and president of the city unit of AL, ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, has been demanding for some time that the construction of the pool be stopped because the Muktijuddher Bijoy Mela is held here every year. Chowdhury and present mayor AJM Nasir Uddin had declared at a programme on Monday that they have no enmity and would work jointly for the development of the city. But the BCL activists, known to be loyal to Chowdhury, proved otherwise by vandalising the pool. The Swimming Pool Implementation Committee pointed out at a press briefing yesterday that a playground and swimming pool are two sides of the same coin. Some people are opposing the construction of the swimming pool due to lack of knowledge, said a member. Ali Abbas, the convener of the committee and vice-president of the Chittagong Divisional Sports Organisation, Siraj Uddin Mohammad Alamgir, general secretary of the Chittagong Divisional Sports Organisation, and Syed Shahabuddin Shamin, additional secretary of the Chittagong District Sports Organisation, among others, were present at the press briefing.