20 hurt as BNP rivals clash over council
At least 20 people, including two policemen, were injured as local BNP factions clashed over holding council of two Jubo Dal units at Tanore upazila headquarters yesterday.
As the situation was getting worse, the local administration imposed Section 144, banning rallies and processions at upazila headquaters for 12 hours since 12:00 noon.
According to police and witnesses, a BNP faction led by Tanore BNP President Emran Ali Mollah, also the upazila chairman, was holding council of Tanore municipality and upazila units of Jubo Dal at upazila parishad auditorium in the morning. District Jubo Dal President Tofazzal Hossain Topu was also present.
At around 12:00noon, supporters of former district BNP president Shish Muhammad, equipped with sticks and iron rods, entered the auditorium and swooped on Emran's men who also retaliated.
They chased each other and hurled brickbats during the clash, leaving at least 18 people from both sides injured. Two police constables--Kamruzzaman and Rabiul Islam- were also injured.
At around 12:30pm, both factions, equipped with sharp weapons, took position around the upazila parishad auditorium. Apprehending law and order situation, upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mehedi-ul-Shaheed imposed section 144 at around 1:00pm.
Police fired teargas shell to disperse the clashing groups and took control of the area at around 12:45pm. Abdul Kuddus Chowdhury, additional SP of Rajshai, said additional police have been deployed at the upazila headquarters to avert further clash.
Of the injured, Tofazzal Hossain, Mizanur Rahman, Abdul Aziz, Saidur Rahman, Jan Bux, Babu, Dulal of Emran group took first aide at Tanore Upazila Health Complex while Shish group claimed at least 11 of their supporters were injured, but refrained from giving their names.
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