Dhaka: Terming the attack on police and its leaders and activists at Nayapaltan ‘premeditated’, BNP on Wednesday night alleged that Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men wearing helmets took part in the mayhem.

‘Police without any provocation started obstructing our leaders and activists when they were peacefully gathering there in processions. They also lobbed teargas shells and opened fire on party men, leaving our many activists injured,’ said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, reports the UNB.

He further said, ‘Police vehicles were torched suddenly. We’ve come to know that some Chhatra League men wearing helmets launched the attack on police cars. We think today’s incident was carried out in a planned way.’

The BNP leader came up with the allegations at a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.

Fakhrul said the main target behind the attack was to foil the election. ‘This was not only an attack on BNP leaders and activists but also on democracy and a fair election.’

He alleged that the government in connivance with the Election Commission made the attack when the BNP leaders and activists were getting ready to join the election.

The BNP leader said police arrested their 60-70 leaders and activists when they came out of their party’s Nayapaltan central office in the evening.

‘We’re not taking the matter lightly. We would like to clearly say these cases must be withdrawn. We urge the police administration to release immediately those arrested. Or else, we won’t hesitate to review our decision on joining the election,’ he warned.

Fakhrul turned down Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader’s allegation that BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas led the attack on police and said such allegation was brought as part of a plot to repress their party men. ‘We want to clearly say that the attack is a plot to foil the polls. Police launched the attack while helmet squad torched their vehicles.’

He alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held a meeting with over 4,500 people at Ganobhaban by abusing her power.

The BNP leader said the Prime Minister also violated the electoral code of conduct by holding such a meeting. ‘We want to see what step the Election Commission now takes against her.’

Meanwhile, Krishak Sramik Janata League president Kader Siddiqui visited BNP’s Nayapaltan central office around 9pm.

He talked to BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and heard the clash from him.