September 7, 2003	Sunday	Rajab 9, 1424

DHAKA, Sept 6: Over 100 people, most of them lawyers and some press photographers, were injured when the pro-government lawyers attacked them near Dhaka Judge’s Court in the city on Saturday.

The attackers also ransacked the office of Dhaka Bar Association, dominated by the supporters of Opposition Awami League lawyers, and damaged the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman there.

The incident occurred when the pro Awami League lawyers tried to stage a “black flag demonstration” against Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who went there to lay the foundation stone of a multi-storey building for the Judge’s Court at about noon.

Witnesses said police fired teargas shells and charged with batons to disperse the protestors who tied their mouths with black ribbons, wore black badges and tried to wave black flags at the prime minister.

At least four lawyers, including the former general secretary of Dhaka Bar Association Advocate Abdullah Abu, were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Some press photographers, who were there to cover the function, were assaulted, allegedly by the ruling party activists.