Sports Minister Arif Khan Joy has been hit by the attack in London. This incident happened in front of Westminster's second Queen Elizabeth Conference Center on Wednesday afternoon. The BNP leaders and activists have rallied at the rally, witnesses said.
A video of the attack also spread through social media. London BNP confirmed the incident, said that their party leaders and activists removed the state minister safely from the scene. Police detained two people from the spot.
Eyewitnesses said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the meeting of the government chiefs at the Queen Elizabeth Conference Center from 3:30 pm to local time. UK BNP activists were protesting outside the conference center. The leaders of the United Kingdom branch of Awami League greeted the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit and greeted her.
Deputy Minister Arif Khan was going to the congressional area walking through the BNP protest demonstration. At the time, the BNP's protest was criticized for her comments. At one stage, some of the people were humiliating Deputy Minister. During this time Arif Khan ran in front of Barclays Bank. The attackers followed him. Later some BNP activists defended him.
A video footage spread through social media shows that some activists of BNP are trying to protect themselves against attacking Barracks Bank and keeping them surrounded by attacks. They are trying to remove the attackers. But the attackers commented on the Deputy Minister. One threw water at him from a distance. Police came and took him back.
UK BNP president MA Malek acknowledged the incident and told the media that during the protest, Awami League did not come to us. Why did he come (Arif Khan Joy), we did not understand MA Malek claimed that the situation would have been worse if they did not protect the deputy minister. Police have arrested both Maruf and Bappi in this incident, he said.
It is to be noted that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is currently in London to attend the Commonwealth Summit. UK BNP activists protest against his visit every day.