Rapid Action Battalion has detained the second named accused in the case filed in connection with the recent clash at an UNO’s house in Barisal.
Sheikh Syed Ahmed Manna, councillor of Barisal City Corporation’s ward 21, was apprehended from Dhaka’s Mohammadpur yesterday.
RAB Legal and Media wing Assistant Director ANM Imran Khan confirmed the matter.
Police have arrested 22 people in connection with the attack on the residence of Barisal Sadar UNO till Saturday noon, reports UNB citing Barisal police.
Nurul Islam, officer-in-charge of Barisal Kotwali police station, said: “So far police have arrested 21 people in connection with the attack on the residence of the UNO and 13 of them were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday while the rest on Saturday from different parts of the city.”
So far, all the arrestees are leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League and its affiliated organizations, reported BSS citing OC Nurul Islam.
Police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been deployed at various points in Barisal to ensure law and order.
Meanwhile, leaders and activists of upazila unit Awami League and Sadar upazila unit Chhatra League staged demonstrations on Friday in different parts of the city demanding a probe into Wednesday’s clash.
Barisal City Corporation (BCC) Mayor Serniabat Sadique Abdullah has been made the prime accused in the two cases filed over the incident.
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Over 600 people have been made accused in cases moved by the UNO and Barisal police.
Leaders of Barisal district and metropolitan units of Awami League have claimed that there was no attack on the official residence of Barisal Sadar upazila UNO Wednesday and posters and banners were being removed as part of routine activity of the city corporation staff.
They have alleged that more than 60 Awami League leaders, activists, and city corporation staff were shot as the law enforcers opened fire under the direction of the UNO on Wednesday.
The situation did not require shooting, the Awami League units stated on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has warned that everyone involved in the attacks will be brought to book.
The clash
The UNO’s official residence at the Sadar Upazila Complex premises came under attack at around 10pm on Wednesday over the removal of posters and banners.
At least seven people suffered bullet wounds and 25 others were injured in clashes among police and Ansar personnel and Awami League leaders and activists.
Also Read - Barisal clash: Awami League demands removal of UNO, release of party men
According to witnesses, city corporation employees went to the residence of UNO Munibur Rahman to lower a banner hung to mark National Mourning Day.
At one stage, the UNO came out and enquired about the matter, leading to an altercation with Swapan Kumar Das, a staffer of the city corporation.
During the altercation, some 25-30 people entered the complex and a scuffle broke out between the Ansar personnel and the mob over the issue, triggering a clash.
The Ansar members opened fire on them, leaving seven injured. They were admitted to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.
On receiving information, police rushed to the spot and baton-charged the crowd to disperse it.
Some 25 people were injured in the clashes with the police and Ansars.
