A court in Dhaka has granted a three-day remand to interrogate BNP leader Mokbul Hossain in police custody over the violent clashes between Dhaka College students and shopkeepers in the capital's New Market area.
The court passed the order on Saturday in response to the police's plea for a seven-day remand, reports bdnews24.com.
It comes against the backdrop of the BNP’s calls for the immediate release of Mokbul, the former president of its New Market unit.
At a media briefing on Saturday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said their party will hold rallies in all metropolitan cities, including Dhaka, on April 26 demanding the withdrawal of the case against Mokbul.
The clashes allegedly stemmed from a feud between the staff in two food shops owned by Mokbul in New Market.
He was arrested on Friday on charges of inciting violence in a case filed with the New Market Police Station. The case also includes charges of obstructing government activity, attacking police, throwing brickbats, vandalism and injuring others.
Twenty-three other suspects are named in the case alongside 200-300 unnamed New Market traders and workers and 600-700 Dhaka College students.
“The authorities haven't arrested the real criminals who wore helmets but named 1,200 people, including 24 leaders of the BNP and its affiliated organisations. We strongly protest and condemn the filing of the false cases,” said Fakhrul.
“The BNP strongly demands immediate withdrawal of the cases and release of Mokbul Hossain. We demand the real criminals should be arrested,” he said.
The BNP standing committee decided to form a three-strong probe panel to investigate the New Market incident, which led to the deaths of two people and left at least 50 others injured.