Clash between AL units in US causes embarrassment

A group of unruly activists of the ruling Awami League astonished all and embarrassed diplomats and guests at the National Mourning Day programme in Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC on Saturday when they got involved in clashes.

Witnesses said Virginia state unit's AL General Secretary GI Russel and Washington Metropolitan AL Vice-President Sadek Khan were detained at that time.

They said a Washington unit Jubo League leader was injured when hit on the head by a chair during the brief clash.

The embassy authorities called Washington police who then intervened and arrested two of the troublemakers.

Ambassador Mohammed Ziauddin and other guests were present at that time.

Press Minister at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington Shamim Ahmad said there were scuffles between the two groups following the speech of one of the speakers at the function. He said the programme was going on peacefully but at one stage the overall situation turned tense following the speech. He, however, could not tell the names of the troublemakers.

The press minister also said Washington police brought the situation under control.

The Virginia state AL general secretary was later shifted to George Washington University Hospital after detention because he was injured during the fracas.