As the AL leaders and activists led by AL central leader Abdul Latif Siddiqui, local MP Dr Abdur Razzak, and former state minister Nurul Islam entered Pankata High School premises at 3:30pm, police charged baton, sprayed rubber bullets and tear gas shells on them, leaving at least 10 injured.

AL activists also attacked the police and snatched four rifles from them.

Among the 10 injured policemen, Constable Habibur Rahman, 50, was rushed to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital in a critical condition.

Ten days earlier, Musuddi Union AL took permission from the authorities to hold a rally on Pankata High School premises, sources said.

But following Jubo Dal's announcement of holding a rally at the same place and time, authorities on Thursday night imposed Section 144 from 11:00am to 12:00 noon on Pankata High School premises and adjacent areas.

The officer-in-charge (OC) of Dhonbari Police Station admitted that the incident of snatching four rifles from the police during the clashes with AL activists had happened.

Local MP Dr Abdur Razzak said the BNP activists had foiled the AL's plan to hold rally several times before and so they decided to hold the rally defying Section 144.

Further programme including laying siege to the police station will be held if the Dhonbari OC is not closed within 10 days, he added.

After a 14-party meeting that condemned the police attack on the AL rally, AL Presidium Member Abdur Razzak MP said holding rally is a democratic right that the government is denying.