BNP factional clash over Ekushey: 9 hurt in Jhalakathi

Those injured include district BNP Publicity Secretary Mehdi Hasan Khan Bappi, Jhalakati Sadar thana OC Sohrab Hossain and constables Abul Kalam and Md Russel.

All the nine were admitted to Jhalakati Sadar Hospital and at some other clinics in the town.

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Mehdi Hasan Khan was later sent to Barisal Sher-E- Bangla Medical College Hospital for better treatment.

Witnesses and police said the clash ensued as the two rival groups tried to hold their separate programmes at Amtala Road at the same time.

Both groups used lethal weapons and firearms in the clashes. The office of district Jubo Dal, BNP's youth front, was ransacked.

Police charged batons and fired five tear gas shells to disperse the clashing groups.

State Minister for Law Shahjahan Omar was in the town when the clash took place, sources said.

Police later arrested 12 BNP activists.