Dhaka: BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was arrested from in front of the main opposition party’s Nayapaltan central office on Monday evening.

The BNP spokesperson was arrested at about 6:00pm just hours after 38 cases were filed with different police stations against him and hundreds of others alliance leaders and activists for their involvement in arson, vandalism and torching of vehicles during Sunday’s road blockade programme in the capital city alone, party sources said.

"Police arrested Mirza Fakrul in connection with Sunday's violence in the city centering the BNP-led opposition's countrywide blockade," SM Mehedi Hassan, Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Assistant Commissioner confirmed the arrest.

After arrest Mirza Fakhrul has been taken to headquarters of Detective Branch of Police following his detention.

Police filed at least 39 cases in the capital city alone accusing Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed along with hundreds of others for their alleged involvement in the vandalism and violence.

On Sunday at least four people were killed and scores of other injured during the eight-hour long road blockade enforced by 18-party alliance led by BNP.

Police said 38 cases --- one for murder, five under the Speedy Trial Act, five under the Explosive Substances Act, 19 others for assaulting police and eight for other charges --- were lodged with different police stations within Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) during the last 24 hours.

However, one of the cases was lodged with Savar police station.

Three people were killed centring Sunday’s blockade-related violence that also saw 14 people injured, 12 vehicles torched and 14 others vandalized, police said adding: "The violence claimed two lives in Dhaka and the third death was reported from Sirajganj while at least 162 people were so far detained."

Ends/AMA/10/12/12