50 hurt as BNP, AL clash over road barricade

Picketing, damaging transport, BNP cadres' attack on AL men, and clashes marked the road barricade programme organised to protest BNP men's attack on Muslimpara in the town on Tuesday.

Demanding 'proper action' within 72 hours, district Awami League announced protest procession on April 8 and dawn to dusk hartal on April 9 and 10.

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Awami League and BNP activists clashed at Golabari, Araimail, Shapla Chattar, Pan Khaiya Para and Khagrapur in the district.

In the morning AL picketers damaged five transports including two buses, two three-wheelers, and a government jeep.

At about 1:00pm, a procession of some 50 BNP men armed with hockey sticks and knives ransacked the house of district AL Secretary Mohammad Zahedul Alam, looted valuables and injured Zahedul Alam's wife Panchhari College teacher Monoara Begum, sister-in-law, daughter Meem, and domestic help Chamela Begum.

The BNP cadres also hurt passers-by, including indigenous people and strangers.

Zahedul Alam's sister-in-law was sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital in a critical condition, Khagrachhari Adhunik Hospital sources said.

Amid mounting tension, shops were closed and vehicles stopped plying while BNP activists moved around at the main points of the town.

District Jubo Dal leader Abdus Salam filed a case accusing 13 AL leaders for the clashes.