Attack on Opposition Programme
35 injured as AL, BNP clash
The venue for a BNP meeting, arranged on the 31st death anniversary of former president Ziaur Rahman, at ASC Square in Rangabali upazila headquarters under Patuakhali district lies vandalised after attack by activists of ruling Awami League yesterday. Photo: STAR
At least 35 people, including a police sub-inspector, were injured during a clash between the activists of Awami League (Al) and BNP at Rangabali upazila headquarters yesterday morning. The trouble began when the upazila unit of BNP was holding a discussion meeting and doa mehfil, marking the 31st death anniversary of president Ziaur Rahman, the founder of BNP, at ASC Square at around 11:00am. Locals said around 200 AL men allegedly led by upazila AL President Ahsan Kabir Chan and General Secretary Anamul Haque Litu attacked the meeting venue, prompting the BNP activists to retaliate. The clash continued for half an hour, leaving at least 24 people from both sides injured. Sub-Inspector Abdul Motaleb of Rangabali Police Station received injuries during chase and counter chase between the clashing groups. Police used truncheons, dispersed the activists of two rival groups and brought the situation under control. President of Rangabali upazila BNP President Kabir Hossain, General Secretary Abdur Rahman, Jubo Dal upazila unit President Anwar Hossain, General Secretary Jahangir Hossain, JCD upazila unit President Tito Talukder, Organising Secretary Nishat Talukder, BCL upazila unit President Mahathir Rahman Rashed, and BCL activist Solaiman Gazi are among the injured. The injured took treatment at local hospital and private clinics. Upazila BNP President Kabir Hossain alleged that armed AL men foiled their peaceful programme. Refuting the allegation, upazila AL chief Ahsan Kabir Chan said no AL man was involved in the incident. The clash had resulted from internal feud in BNP upazila unit, he added. Additional police have been deployed in the upazila town to avert .
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