BNP meeting, houses of party activists attacked in 2 dists
A gang foils Patuakhali BNP meeting and ransacks furniture at the venue at former minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury's house in the district town yesterday. Photo: STAR
At least 25 leaders and activists of Patuakhali BNP were injured as a gang attacked their meeting at the residence of central BNP Vice- Chairman former minister Altaf Hossain Cowdhury at Sher-e-Bangla Girls' School road in the district town yesterday noon. In Benapole, Jessore, at least eight houses of BNP activists were ransacked allegedly by Awami League activists at Putkhali village in the morning following death of an AL man in intra-party clash at the village on Monday night. Our Patuakhali Correspondent quoted local BNP sources as saying that about 30 unidentified men, equipped with lethal weapons, attacked the BNP meeting where former minister Altaf Hossain Cowdhury was the chief guest. The gang foiled the meeting, ransacked the house, torched a motorbike and took away five others from the meeting venue, sources said. Of the injured BNP men, Khalilur Rahman, personal assistant (PA) to Altaf Hossain, Al-Amin, Moshiur Rahman Milon, Md Chanudu, Md Monir, Kazi Shah Alam, Abdul Khaleq, Md Delwar Hossain, Ahsan Habib, and Dulal were admitted to Patuakhali General Hospital and different clinics in the town, while the rest given first aid. Altaf Hossain escaped unhurt as he took shelter in a room during the attack. On information, police and Rab personnel rushed to spot and took control of the area. Altaf Cowdhury blamed local Jubo League and Chhatra League activists for the attack. He told journalists that BCL and Jubo League activists foiled their peaceful meeting and injured at least 25 party men. Denying the allegation, district Jubo League President Ahsan Habib Khan and BCL President Jahangir Sikder said their activists were not involved in the attack on BNP meeting. They said the attack was an outcome of local BNP's internal feud. No case was filed with Sadar Police Station as of filing of this report at 6:00pm yesterday. According to a Benapole correspondent, Awami League activists ransacked at least eight houses of BNP men at Putkhali village yesterday morning following death of AL activist Babu Sardar in intra-party clash at the village on Monday. Locals said Babu faction and Abul Morol faction clashed at Putkhali School ground over control of the smuggling zone in the area. Bubu was killed by a bomb during the clash. Police have so far arrested five people for their alleged involvement in the clash.
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