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The long marchers, on the way to capital, faced obstruction by the police and the ruling party men in different districts while cops arrested several thousands people overflowing many police stations which allegedly included innocent civilians, report agencies
At least 100 people were injured, 70 opposition activists arrested and a number of vehicles damaged and torched in clashes in four districts, including capital Dhaka, during the 'Long March'.
The government had deployed around 8,000 forces, including the police, the BDR and the Armed Police Battalion (APBn), along with the elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), in and around the rally ground as well as all the entry points.
The police said some 4,500 people had been arrested during the last three days. However, sources in the police administration said the figure would be more than 10,000.
Despite being obstructed by the law enforcers and the ruling party cadres at different points, the opposition activists and supporters tried their best to reach the city.
Clashes between ruling party activists and opposition supporters in the city's Siddique Bazar area left dozens of people injured, two with bullets.
Angry opposition workers allegedly set fire to two vehicles in Tanti Bazar area at 2:30 pm.
Witnesses said the ruling party men and police intercepted an opposition procession at North South Road at about 2:00pm while it was proceeding towards historic Paltan Maidan, setting off a chase and counter chase.
Police lobbed two tear gas shells and fired several shots to disperse the unruly people at about 2.30 pm, leaving at least 15 people injured.
Two of them were struck by bullets. They are M Hanif (28), son of Aminul Haq of Tanti Bazar, and Shah Alam Hossain (28), son of Shakwat Hossain of Malitula.
Hanif was admitted to Islamia Eye Hospital while Shah Alam to Chest and Diseases Hospital. Alam's condition was stated to be critical.
Police also picked up 16 opposition activists from the scene.
In Shahbag area, opposition activists set fire to a minibus at about 2.50 pm.
Earlier, police charged batons on marchers at Sadarghat at about 11 am when the activists tried to get down from nine trawlers coming from Sirajdikhan of Munshiganj, injuring at least 20 people.
Police also put barricades on the first and the second Buriganga bridges.
In another incident, at least 60 opposition activists were injured when police swung into action on opposition leaders and activists at Sadarghat launch terminal as they came from Bhola, Patuakhali and Barguna in launches at about 11.30 am.
In Comilla, anti-Long March elements allegedly attacked a convoy of Long March vehicles at Daudkandi as they were heading towards Dhaka, leaving nearly 20 people injured and a dozen of buses damaged.
Chittagong city AL president MA Mannan told UNB over phone that BNP activists suddenly attacked their caravan, led by Chittagong city Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, at about 12 noon.
He said at least 30 of their workers were injured and some of them were sent to Dhaka in ambulances. "Many buses carrying the marchers were stranded on Daudkandi Bridge," Mannan added.
However, Mayor Mohiuddin proceeded towards Dhaka after the attack.
In Munshiganj, police intercepted opposition leaders and activists at Kathpatti launch terminal on their way to Dhaka and picked up 22 people from different parts of the district, sources there said.
Police were seen patrolling the terminal area in speedboats, allowing no launches to anchor there Sunday.
The law-enforcers also intercepted opposition activists at Nimtoli point on Dhaka-Maowa highway in Sirajdikhan area and Muktar point on Dhaka-Munshiganj highway.
In Manikganj, at least 10 people, including Awami League district president Advocate Gulam Mohiuddin, its secretary Kamrul Huda Selim and Advocate Abdul Majid, were injured as police charged batons on a Long March procession near Khalpar area.
Police also arrested 44 opposition activists from different areas.
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