Crude bombs explode during Opposition bloc’s long march in Khulna

Multiple crude bombs exploded in the middle of a protest march by vehicles of the opposition alliance in Khulna city on Saturday afternoon.

Abul Bashar, officer-in-charge of Khan Jahan Ali Police Station in the city, confirmed that at least three crude bombs went off in the Fulbari Gate area on the northern end of the city.

None was injured, but the loud blasts caused panic among the locals, sending opposition supporters, including scores of women activists of Jamaat-e-Islami, to run for cover, the officer added.

Additional police were deployed to the area, following requests by Jamaat-e-Islami, the main opposition party in the parliament, Abul Bashar said.

Earlier in the morning, the 11-party Opposition Alliance, led by Jamaat, launched a long march from Dhaka with a massive vehicle convoy, to press for the full implementation of July Charter and the February referendum verdict, among other demands. The convoy is scheduled to make multiple stops in Khulna district before heading towards Jashore and Kushtia.

Ismail Hossain Parvez, assistant secretary of Jamaat’s unit in Khan Jahan Police Station area, claimed that around six-seven people, wearing facemasks and helmets, threw five-six crude bombs on the road next to the Shaheed Minar in Fulbari Gate area around 3:30-3:45pm.

By that time, two-one vehicles of the long march had crossed the area.

Afterwards, Jamaat leaders contacted the local police, seeking security support.

Ismail Hossain Parvez alleged that earlier, the same group of assailants had torched parts of a makeshift entrance gate erected at the Fulbari Bus stand area to welcome the incoming convoy from Dhaka.

Afterwards, all the vehicles of the convoy crossed the area smoothly, he added.

Opposition leaders in the convoy are expected to address a public rally at Phultala bazar in Phultala upazila of the district.