Sat, Dec 29th, 2012 3:58 pm BdST

Dhaka, Dec 29 (bdnews24.com)- Two persons were injured as members of the banned Islamist outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir clashed with the police in the city on Saturday.

Police identified the injured as Nazimuddin Babla, 50, and Zahirul Islam, 24, a Dhaka College student.

Police Inspector (patrol) Mohammad Shahid told bdnews24.com activists of the outlawed organisation suddenly gathered in front of the National Press Club at around 12:30pm sporting their party flag and chanted anti-government slogans.

When the police tried to bar the demonstrators they attacked the law enforcers, the official said. A crude bomb reportedly exploded during this time spreading panic in the area.

Shahid said the Hizb ut-Tahrir men hurled brickbats at the police and running battles between the two sides followed.

Later police charged batons, lobbed tear gas shells and fired rubber bullets to bring the situation under control, Sub-Inspector of Shahbagh Police Station Rupesh Chandra said.

Those arrested by the police were identified as: Zahidul Islam, 31, Rashed Bin Nazir, 24, Shahed Hosain, 25, Ali Ahsan Chhadri, 25, 'Sumon', 22, Ruhul Amin, 35 and Hafizur Rahman, 25.

Rapid Action Battalion also nabbed 32 others from the area.

Before the clashes broke out, an organisation was staging a human chain programme demanding trials of the suspected war criminals.

Babla, who was injured in the clash, told bdnews24.com that a splinter had hit his chest but added that he was there to participate in the human chain programme.

Additional police have been deployed in the area to avert further tension.

Source