Gunfire was allegedly targeted at the residence of Manjurul Alam, general secretary of Ward No. 28 BNP, from a rally of the activity-banned Awami League in Khulna on Friday.
The incident occurred at around 4:30pm on Islamia Road in front of Tutpara Mawla Bari in the city. Upon receiving the information, police inspected the scene.
According to the BNP leader, he was at home during the incident when he heard “Joy Bangla” slogans from a rally of 20 to 25 people outside and went out to see the procession.
He alleged that a person from the rally told him to step aside, and as he was entering his house, shots were fired at his residence from the procession.
The marchers also vandalised a motorcycle parked in front of his house and threw brickbats at the building. Alam said he was not physically injured in the incident.
Khulna Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Lokman Hossain said a group of 20 to 25 people had suddenly brought out a rally.
On receiving the news, he inspected the spot and recovered four to five small lead pellets, which could be parts of shotgun pellets. He added that the BNP leader would file a case regarding the incident.
Meanwhile, in Khalishpur, Khulna, 20 to 25 leaders and activists of the activity-banned Awami League brought out a sudden flash procession at around 1:40pm today during Jummah prayers.
The march was taken out under the initiative of Khalishpur Thana Awami League from in front of Khulna Metropolitan Police Lines School to the entrance of Ansar Uddin Road on Khulna-Jessore Highway.
Khalishpur Thana Krishak League President Ratan Sheikh led the procession, in which 20 to 25 people took part.
Police said that while the Jummah prayer was ongoing in a nearby mosque, five to six worshippers came out and attempted to join the marchers, while several motorcyclists from a local tea stall also arrived at the spot.
However, police personnel praying inside the mosque and local residents came out and chased the marchers, forcing them to leave the spot quickly without completing the procession.
Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Deputy Commissioner (North Division) Sudarshan Kumar Roy said the marchers were unable to complete the rally due to the active role of the police.
He added that several of the marchers have been identified, and drives are currently underway to arrest them.
