At least 10 people including policemen and journalists were injured in a clash between BNP activists and law enforcers during picketing amid the 48-hour hartal being observed by the party and like-minded opposition parties.

Locals said that BNP activists brought out a procession in favour of the hartal in Puratan Bus Stand area around 11 am and vandalised some vehicles, causing panic on the streets.

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A clash broke out when police barred the BNP men from marching forward, they said.

At one stage of the altercation, the picketers hurled brickbats targeting the law enforcers who retaliated with tear gas shells, they said.

Rajan Kumar Das, additional superintendent of district police, said they used tear shells and opened blank fire to control the situation.

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Ten people, including three policemen, were injured in the clash, he said, adding that the situation is now under their control.

Local BNP leaders could not be reached over the phone for comments in this connection.

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