Teesta Bridge Toll
10 hurt as AL, BNP men clash over tender
The ruling party men yesterday burn down Sramik Dal office in Lalmonirhat town following a clash with BNP activists over dropping tender papers for toll collection at Teesta Bridge.Photo: STAR
Ten people were inured as activists of ruling Awami League (AL) and main opposition BNP engaged in a clash after the ruling party men allegedly obstructed the BNP men's attempt to drop tender papers at the office of the superintendent of police (SP) in Lalmonirhat town yesterday. The injured include district Chhatra Dal President Limon Islam, six other BNP activists and three AL men. Lalmonirhat district Sramik Dal office on Station Road in the town was also set afire allegedly by AL men during the incident. "People belonging to both Awami League and BNP came to Lalmonirhat SP office for dropping tender papers for toll collection at Teesta Bridge yesterday noon. AL men dropped their tender documents in the box but a clash occurred when BNP men tried to drop tender there," said Lalmonirhat Sadar police station OC Jamir Uddin. Police controlled the situation by firing tear gas shells and charging batons, he added. "I and some other BNP men went to the SP office for dropping tender documents but failed due to obstruction by Awami League men. They attacked and injured us in presence of police," injured Chhatra Dal leader Limon Islam said. "At one stage, a group of Awami League men set fire to Sramik Dal office, destroying furniture worth about Tk five lakh and necessary papers and files. I called the police but they came late, after the ruling party men left the spot. I recognised the attackers,” said Omar Faruque Bablu, president of Lalmonirhat district Sramik Dal. Later fire fighters doused the fire. "The ruling party activists are now conspiring to lodge false cases against BNP men. Protesting attack on BNP men and setting fire to Sramik Dal office, we will hold a rally in Lalmonirhat town tomorrow [Wednesday],” said Hafizur Rahman Babla, general secretary of Lalmonirhat district BNP. On the other hand, Motiar Rahman, general secretary of Lalmonirhat district AL, said, "BNP activists attacked and inured some Awami League men at the SP office over tender dropping. The BNP men also attacked police. Awami League men were not involved in setting fire to Sramik Dal office.” Additional policemen have been deployed at important places in the town to prevent further unwanted situation, police said.
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