Clash over football match: 4 cops among 70 hurt in Shailkupa

Police fired 150 blank shots and 25 tear gas shells to bring the situation under conttrol.

Sixteen people have so far been arresred.

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The rival groups also damaged at least 30 shops and houses during the clash, police said.

The match was going on between Abaipur Union and Bogra Union at Hatfazilpur High School playground.

At one stage, there was an altercation followed by a clash between the rival supporters. The match was postponed.

Later, at least 200 supporters of Bogra Union regrouped with firearms and lethal weapons and attacked the Hatfazilpur Bazar at about 7 pm.

They ransacked about 30 shops reportedly belonging to supporters Abaipur Union.

As the news spread, supporters of Abaipur Union rushed to the bazaar with firearms and lethal weapons.

The clash lasted about two hours leaving about 60 more people injured, 35 of them bullet-hit.

On information, police from Shailkupa thana rushed to the sopot at about 9:pm. They fired at least 150 blank shots and 25 tear gas sells and brought the situation under control.

Both groups traded at least 50 shots, police and witnesses said.

Both the groups also attacked police leaving SIs Gopal Chandra Dhar and Abdul Mannan and constables Dulal Chandra and Alim Uddin injured.

They have been admitted to Jhenidah Sadar Hospital.

The bullet-hit villagers inlcude rafiqul slam, Swarajuddin, Obaidul, Anis and rafiquddin, all admitted to Jhenidah Sadar Hisopital.

Three others were admitted to Skailkupa Hspital, but their names could not be known.

The rest are taking treatement secretly at different private clinics in the two towns and at nearby upazila hospitals to avoid arrest, police and other sources said.

Some of the injured this correspondent talked to claimed that they had gone to enjoy the match and were not involved in the clashes.

A tense situation is prevailed in the area. Additional police force have been deployed to check further violence.

High police officials also visited the area.

A case has been filed with Sailkupa police station.