3 cops among 50 hurt in Kushtia AL-BNP clash

One of the houses damaged allegedly by BNP activists. PHOTO: STAR

Police fired 11 blank shots and arrested 27 people, claimed by Awami League leaders to be their men.

A police van was attacked during the clash. At least nine houses belonging to AL men were damaged, allegedly by BNP men.

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Sources said the clash was between supporters of local BNP leader and former Union Parishad member Abdul Majid Bablu and Kushtia district Awami Jubo League Labour and Manpower Secretary Enamul Haq over supremacy in the area. The two are rivals for long.

According to police and local people, AL activist Anwar had filed a case against some persons including BNP activist Mahir alleging that they had snatched Tk 1.30 lahk from him on August 12.

Police picked up Mahir but found the complaint false. Police then picked up Anwar.

Police later picked up UP Chairman Enamul and allegedly implicated him in a false case.

This angered AL men who gathered at Khaganagar Bazar on Tuesday and brought out a procession.

Clashes ensued when it was attacked allegedly by BNP men, thes sources claimed.

On information, Sadar thana police rushed to the spot. A reinforcement was also sent, which quelled the violence.

Sub-inspector Masiur and two constables were injured, when they came under attack during the clash.

Seven of the injured were admitted to Kushtia General Hospital. They are Akul Hossain, Abdus Salam, Amirul Islam, Akas, Abul Hossain, Katha and Faraj. The rest took treatment at private clinics.

High police officials visited the spot. A tense situation is prevailing in the area.

Police filed a case against some men for damaging their vehicle.