AL council attacked in Patuakhali

In retaliation, AL activists ransacked a local BNP office, claiming that the attackers belonged to BNP. But BNP leaders denied the allegation.

The council that began about three hours behind schedule was adjourned after a brief session. It was announced that the adjourned council would be held at Patuakhali town on the following day.

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None of the injured AL activists went to hospital fearing arrest, party sources said. The three injured newsmen are Shamsul Alam, Vogolgazi Kunda and Gofran Ahmed.

As the council began at about 10 am at the upazila headquarters, some people from Monohor Patti attacked it, injuring at least 20 people, witnesses said.

About an hour later, when AL leaders and workers regrouped and prepared to begin the council, another group swooped on the venue, damaging the dais and injuring about 30 people.

AL leaders including central organising secretary Mahmudur Rahman Manna took shelter at a nearby police station for safety.

At about 1 pm, they came out of the police station and went to the venue under police protection to begin the council.

Addressing the brief council, Manna alleged that BNP activists vandalised the AL council. The BNP-Jamaat government delivered nothing but crime, corruption and politicisation of the administration during its tow and half year's rule.

He said people are now fed up due to the government's "misrule". There is no rule of law in the country, he added.

He urged the party leaders and activist to launch a vigorous movement to dislodge the government.

With Motaleb Ali Talukder in the chair, the council was addressed by, among others, AL lawmaker AKM Jahangir Hossain, former lawmaker ASM Feroj, AL central leader Esahak Ali Khan Panna, Patuakhali district AL president Shahjahan Mia and its secretary Khan Mossaraf Hossain.