AL factional clash leaves 20 injured

At least 20 ruling party men were injured in a clash between two rival groups of Awami League (AL) on Monday allegedly over supremacy in Ishwardi upazila.

Of the injured, critically injured Jubo League activist Rony and Lablu are now undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

As part of the September 26 by election of Pabna-4 constituency (Ishwardi and Atghoria upazila), Ishwardi upazila unit AL held a meeting with the grassroots leaders and activists at its party office yesterday noon, where SM Kamal, organizing secretary of AL central committee, was present as the chief guest.

At one stage of the meeting, a scuffle took place between Ishwardi municipality unit AL President Abul Kalam Azad Mintu, and its general secretary Ishhaque Ali Malitha over establishing supremacy in the meeting.

Meanwhile, as a sequel to the earlier incident followers of Ishhaque and Mintu, also mayor of Ishwardi municipality, locked in a fierce clash outside the party office that left at least 20 people from both sides injured.

Ishaque alleged that men of Mayor Mintu attacked him in front of the central committee and district level leaders.

On the other hand, Mintu said Ishaque's men swooped on him and left him injured.

SM Kamal Hossain, organization secretary of AL central unit, said ahead of the by-election such clash is unacceptable.

Later, at a press briefing at Ishwardi Press Club Kamal said due to the clash activities of Ishwardi unit Jubo League and Bangladesh Chhatra League have been suspended.

"We will take organizational step against the culprits involved in clash," Kamal added.

Additional Superintendent of Police Firoz Hossain said they have brought the situation under control.