JESSORE: Four people including a police constable received bullet injuries when police opened fire on a human-chain on Wednesday afternoon.

The incident of firing happened at Jessore Press Club premises.

A total of five people received bullets. The condition of Kamal, a BNP activist, among the injured was stated to be critical.

Police also arrested five people including Jessore district BNP general secretary Syed Saberul Huq Sabu.

Jessore district BNP organising secretary Delwar Hossain Khokon said the BNP-led 20-party alliance formed the human-chain in protest against Posts and Telecommunications Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui's audacious remarks against Prophet Muhammad (SM) and the holy Haj. The human-chain was formed with the prior permission of the administration infront of the Jessore Press Club at Mujib Sarak.

He said at one stage, police arrested several BNP leaders and activists including Jessore district BNP general secretary Syed Saberul Huq Sabu.

Khokon said police opened fire from their shotguns when the 20-party alliance leaders and activists staged demonstration surrounding a police van. Suddenly chase and counter-chase took place between two sides. Four people including a police constable received bullet injuries, while five others were injured. Police also broke the camera of Ekattor Television's Jessore Correspondent.

Those who received bullet injuries were: Police constable Motiar Rahman, BNP activist Kamal, ward Mohila Dal leader Sonali of Neelganj Tantipara area, and pedestrian Imdadul Hafiz of Poolerhat area. The other injured were admitted to the 250-bed Jessore General Hospital.

Delwar Hossain Khokon also said police fired some 30 rounds of bullet without any provocation.

Assistant Police Super (ASP) Reshma Sharmin of Jessore said attacks were launched from the human-chain targetting policemen and at one stage, shot were also fired. When a policeman received bullet, other policemen opened fire for their safety.

JESSORE/ZA