Two suspects arrested over policeman's killing during BNP rally

Authorities have arrested two men with direct ties to the killing of policeman Amirul Islam Parvez during the violent clashes stemming from the BNP's antigovernment rally in Dhaka.

"We will ensure that those responsible for this incident face the harshest penalties possible. We have already apprehended two people directly involved with Parvez's murder,” Habibur Rahman, chief of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said on Sunday.

The arrestees have been identified as Shamim Reza, a native of Gaibandha, and Sultan, a resident of Demra, Dhaka.

District Superintendent of Police Kamal Hossain said Shamim serves as the convenor of the Swechchha Sebak Dal's Palashbari unit. However, Sultan’s political affiliation has yet to be confirmed.

On Saturday, the BNP staged a mass rally in Naya Paltan to press for the formation of a non-partisan caretaker government during the election period amid mounting political tensions.

But the BNP's programme took a tumultuous turn as deadly clashes between party loyalists and the police erupted in Kakrail. The opposition group subsequently suspended their rally and called a nationwide shutdown to protest the "violent actions" of the police.

Several vehicles were vandalised and torched during Saturday's clashes. Mobs also attacked journalists. The chief justice's residence also came under attack.

Constable Parvez was beaten and hacked to death at the Dainik Bangla intersection during the clashes.

Several videos depicting attacks on the police have since gone viral on social media.

Later in the evening, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan visited Dhaka Medical College Hospital and said that a Chhatra Dal leader had been involved in the fatal attack on Parvez. The minister added that there was photographic evidence to establish the opposition party’s links.

Police have detained senior party leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and cordoned off the BNP offices in Naya Paltan.