Three hartal supporters killed in Brahmanbaria clashes

Three hartal supporters were killed and dozens injured after they clashed with police and BGB in Brahmanbaria today during a hartal of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.

Two of the deceased was identified as Alamin, 19, son of one Shafi Ali and Kalon Mia, 23. The identity of the other one still remains unknown. 

Police and BGB members clashed with hartal supporters in the Pairatala area of ​​Brahmanbaria district town around 11:30 pm. Several people were injured and the unidentified man died after being rescued and taken to Brahmanbaria General Hospital.

Meanwhile, Hefazat activists clashed with law enforcers during an attack on the Khantihata Highway police station at Sarail Bishwaroad intersection in the district at noon. Al Amin and Kalon were shot at that time.

Alamin was taken to the General Hospital where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.

"Kalon had died on the spot," said his brother Maulana Abdur Rahim.

Budhal Union Parishad chairman Abdul Haque said two people had been killed in clashes on Bishwaroad. "However, I do not know their names," he said. 

"Some injured people were brought to the hospital from morning to afternoon. Two of them died here. There are injury marks on their bodies," said Dr Md Shawkat Hossain, head of Brahmanbaria General Hospital.

On Saturday, five people were killed and dozens injured as Hefazat activists clashed with police and BGB members in Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila.

The activists of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh went berserk in Brahmanbaria today as they attacked Jela Parishad, district Awami League, press club and municipality offices during hartal.

They also vandalised and set fire to a number of government offices there.

The Islamist group has enforced daylong hartal today protesting over the deaths of its activists in Chattogram and Brahmanbaria in police action, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bangladesh visit.

Earlier on Saturday, clashes erupted around 6pm when the Hefazat men assembled at Nandanpur Bazar to hold a rally, protesting against the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh and Friday's police action on Hefazat activists in Chattogram and Dhaka. 

They carried out an attack on police and BGB members when the law enforcers tried to obstruct them. 

At one stage, police and BGB members opened fire to disperse them. Some protesters sustained bullet-injuries during the clash.