THE police on Sunday evening arrested National Citizen Party central joint member secretary Tarek Reza in connection with a case filed by a Chhatra Dal leader over the recent clash in Jhenaidah involving activists of the two groups.

Tarek Reza was arrested at about 6:30pm in front of a community centre on Kabi Sukanta road in Jhenaidah town, said Jhenaidah police station duty officer sub-inspector Khairul Islam.

According to district NCP leaders, the party had organised a press conference at the Family Zone community centre to protest the earlier arrest of National Youth Power leader Ayon Rahman Khan in the same case.

Tarek Reza was reportedly on his way to attend the programme when police detained him from the area.

Jhenaidah police station officer-in-charge M Asaduzzaman said that Tarek Reza was arrested in a case filed on Saturday over allegations of assault, vandalism and issuing death threats, adding that drives were under way to arrest the other accused.

The case stems from a clash that erupted on Friday after Jumma prayers in front of the Old Collectorate Jame Mosque in Jhenaidah town.

Supporters of Chhatra Dal, the NCP and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement became involved in the confrontation following an egg-throwing incident targeting NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary.

Following the incident, Tarek Reza filed a case on May 22 against 123 people, including several local Chhatra Dal leaders.

In a counter-case filed on May 23, former Jhenaidah district Chhatra Dal president Enamul Kabir accused 22 leaders and activists of the NCP and Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, including Tarek Reza, along with 60 unidentified individuals.

Earlier, district Detective Branch police arrested Ayon Rahman Khan in connection with the same case.