Several hundred activists of BNP and its front organisations yesterday staged angry protests demanding Tarique Rahman’s release at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

Police clubbed the unruly protesters injuring about 10, as their gathering hampered treatment of outdoor patients for over an hour.

Moreover, vehicular movement on one side of Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue remained suspended creating severe congestion as the activists of BNP, Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal blockaded the road for over 20 minutes.

Many of the agitators told reporters they gathered at BSMMU to have a view of BNP Senior Secretary General Tarique Rahman but police charged baton without any provocation.

Inspector General of Prisons Brig Gen Zakir Hassan told The Daily Star, "Tarique Rahman was taken out of the prison cell to produce him before the court at the court order."

He added, "When he was brought out, his party leaders and activists made the chaos."

Witnesses say the activists and leaders started gathering in and around BSMMU since 11 00am to see Tarique before he was sent to makeshift special court on Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban premises.

When Tarique was brought out of the prison cell, they chanted slogans demanding his release and treatment abroad around 12:00noon.

The witnesses say many of them threw brickbats at the prison cell forcing law enforcers to charge baton to disperse them.

Rezaul Karim, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station, said, "The activists crowded around Tarique Rahman's ambulance and engaged in scuffling with the law enforcers."

A number of BSMMU staffs said outdoor patients could not enter the B Block during the agitation.