BCL man killed in clash over gambling
An activist of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) was killed and 10 others were injured in a clash between two local rival groups belonging to ruling Awami League (AL) over control of a gambling spot at Muladuli of Ishwardi upazila under the district yesterday afternoon.
The deceased, Badhan Khondoker, 22, son of Babul Khondoker of Muladuli station para, is an HSC examinee and a union-level activist of the BCL, party sources said.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The clash took place between two groups -- one led by AL activist Kamal Hossain Mithu and another by BCL man Milon Khondokar around 1:00pm following a rivalry over control of gambling in the area, said Md Selim Malitha, chairman of Muladuli union parishad.
Milon group arranged a gambling party in Muladuli station area where an annual fair of the Hindu community was being held.
As Mithu group tried to take control of the gambling, the two groups locked in a fierce clash that included trading of bullets, locals said.
Bullet-hit Badhan was taken to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital but he succumbed to his injury at about 1:30pm yesterday, said Siddikur Rahman, additional superintendent of police in Pabna.
Police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, he added.
The fellows of Badhan, nephew of Milon Khondokar, set fire to a private car and six motorbikes of their rivals in Muladuli station area.
Despite the clash, the local Hindu community's traditional fair organised by Shondhar Pukur Kali Matar Mondir was held peacefully, said Md Selim Malitha, chairman of Muladuli union parishad.
"The clash took place centring control of a gambling party. This is not a political issue. If party men are found guilty after investigation, we will take organisational step," said Mokhlesur Rahman Mintu, secretary of Ishwardi upazila unit of AL.
A tense situation is prevailing in the area after the clash. Additional policemen have been deployed to stave off further untoward incident.
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