Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- At least four people were killed and several hundred others including a number of police and media men injured in sporadic clashes on Friday in Dhaka and some other parts of the country over the alleged blasphemy of Islam and its Prophet by some local bloggers, police and witnesses said.
Of them, two were killed in Gaibandha, one in Jhenidah and the other in Sylhet.
At least 10 journalists and 10 policemen were among the inured in the capital.
The demonstrations also torched two motorcycles on the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque premises.
Apart from charging batons, police fired around 300 rubber bullets and teargas shells to disperse the demonstrators.
The demonstrators, in retaliation, pelted brick chips and carried out vandalism.
Police said 172 demonstrators were rounded up during the violence.
Twelve Islamist organisations were supposed to stage demonstrations demanding punishment to Shahbagh protest organizations after the Juma prayers.
Talking to journalists near Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Md Nazmul, deputy commissioner (Motijheel division), said Jamaat and Shibir men blended with the Islamist organisations and carried out the vandalism.
He also said there was an understanding between the police and the 12 Islamist parties that they would bring out a procession from Paltan and end at Shapla Chattar.
The official said instead of going towards Shapla Chattar, a group of the processionists marched towards Shahbagh by defying police barricade at Paltan.
He said police fired rubber bullets and teargas shells to disperse the processionists.
Clashes took place at the premises of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Jatiya Press Club, and Paltan, Katabon Mosque, Dainik Bangla intersection and Shilpakala Academy areas.
Police later detained more than 100 people taking them for Jamaat and Shibir men from the spot.
The injured journalists include Masudur Rahman, reporter Gtv; Nurul Islam, cameraman of Independent Television; Abdullah Tuhin, senior reporter Maasranga Television; Mir Ahmed Miru, photographer of Amar Desh; Arifuzzaman of Ekattar TV, Sayeed Bablu of the daily Sangbad, Aminul Islam Bhuiyan.
BBN/SSR/AD-23Feb13-10:25 am (BST)
