22 cops among 80 injured in Gaibandha clash

GAIBANDHA, Jan 19 (UNB): Over 80 people, including 22 policemen, were injured in a clash between law enforcers and Jamaat-Shibir activists during a police operation at Khanbari village in Sundarganj upazila early Sunday.

Mosharraf Hossain, Assistant Superintendent of Gaibandha Police, said police launched an overnight drive in Rambhadra, Khanabari, Saichantala and Kalarghat villages to arrest accused in different cases filed in connection with recent spate of violence in the district.

During their drive in Khanbari village, villagers and Jamaat-Shibir activists cordoned them off and attacked them with sticks and brick chips, triggering a clash which left at least 22 policemen and 60 villagers injured around 5 am.

Police also fired at least 30 rounds of rubber bullets during the clash but failed to disperse them.

Meanwhile, joint forces members rushed in and rescued the confined policemen from the area early Sunday morning.

The joint forces members also arrested four Jamaat-Shibir activists from the spot.