AL infighting over UP polls nomination leaves 20 hurt

At least 20 people were injured in a clash between two factions of Awami League (AL) in Ashashuni upazila of the district yesterday over party nomination for the union parishad election, beginning next month.

Quoting locals, police said there had been a rivalry between Nur Mohammad, president of Sreeula union unit of AL, and Abu Hena Md Shakilur Rahman, incumbent chairman of the union parishad, allegedly over getting party nomination for the polls.

Abu Hena recently got party ticket to contest for the post of chairman of Sreeula Union Parishad.

When Abu Hena was talking with his supporters at Mahishkur Muktijoddha office at around 9:00am, a group of AL men, led by Nur Mohammad, swooped on them, leaving Abu Hena, his son and 12 others injured.

Hearing the news, the supporters of the two, equipped with sharp weapons,  locked in a clash that left six more people from both sides injured.

Of the injured, Abu Hena, his son Sourav Raihan, AL activists Kohinoor Islam, Sirajul Islam, Shamim Hossain, Asadul Islam, Shafiqul Islam, Motiur Rahman, Abdul Hamid, Golam Mustafa, Mustafizur Rahman, Ramjan Ali, Rabiul Islam, Yeasin Ali, Mukul, Sabuj, Saiful, Shimul and Shahedur Rahman, were admitted to Satkhira Sadar Hospital and Ashashuni Upazila Health Complex.

Being informed, law enforcers from Ashashuni Police Station went to the spot and dispersed the clashing groups, said Officer-in-Charge Asaduzzaman.

Abu Hena said he has been nominated by the party to contest the union parishad polls. Being aggrieved with the party decision, Nur Mohammad and his men launched the attack, he added.

Refuting the allegation, Nur Mohammad said Abu Hena's supporters attacked him while he was going to a local bazaar.