50 hurt in clash over gambling

More than 50 people were injured in a clash between residents of two villages over gambling at Tekerhat river port on Dhaka-Barisal highway in Rajoir upazila under the district yesterday.

The clash ensued between the residents of two villages over protesting the gambling at Hamilotn Bridge in Rajoir upazila yesterday noon.

Organised gamblers have been continuing their misdeeds at the spot for over one year, locals said.

Arifur Rahman Tipu Bagha, a brother of Rajoir municipal commissioner Babul Bagha protested the gambling.Tipu Bagha was seriously injured as the gamblers beat him up. As Tipu's relatives went there and protested the matter, the gamblers beat them too.

The residents of Ghosalkandi on the west of the spot and those of Purbasarmongal on the east took two sides in the clash armed with locally made weapons.

Chase, counter chase and throwing of brickbats occurred in the three hour long clash. The clash spread over a three kilometre area on Tekerhat port to adjoining areas.

Some of the agitated mob also attacked the nearby Sarder Shahjahan School and College. The panicked students ran for cover. 

Injured during the incident, 40 people including Tipu, Aminul, Riad, Azizul and Ripon went to Rajoir Hospital for treatment.

Ten others received treatment at different clinics.

Informed of the clash, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, said Madaripur Superintendent of Police Md Sarwar Hossain.

Police shot at least 30 rounds of rubber bullets to drive away the rowdy people.

A tailback was created as more than 200 vehicles were stranded on both sides of the road during the clash.

Rajoir Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mizanur Rahman said he along with the upazila chairman and the deputy commissioner went to the spot.

They talked with the two clashing groups and managed to restore the traffic movement on the road, he said.