Pro-AL groups clash over hiring teachers

At least 20 people were injured in a clash between two groups of pro-Awami League activists over teachers' recruitment at the honours level of Ishwarganj Degree College in the district yesterday.

The test for requirement of 15 teachers was scheduled to be held in the morning for three new subjects-Bengali, Accounting and Social Work but the college authorities later postponed it following the clash.

Police said a group of activists led by Hasan Mahmud, secretary of Ishwarganj upazila unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League, brought out a procession against the recruitment test on the campus.

The BCL men loyal to Rafiqul Islam Bulbul, president (acting) of the upazila unit of AL, and member of the college governing body, also asked the authorities to postpone the test.

Meanwhile, another group loyal to Abdus Sattar, former AL lawmaker and the incumbent president of the college governing body, brought out a procession in favour of holding the test.

The law enforcers intercepted both the groups at Ishwarganj Madhya Bazar at 2:15pm, said Borhan Uddin, officer-in-charge of Ishwarganj Police Station.

After breaking police barricade, the rival groups clashed with each other.

Earlier on the day, Vice Principal Masudul Haque served a notice suspending the recruitment test following a show-cause notice served by the court following a case filed in this regard, said college sources.

On September 10, Bulbul filed a case against 13 people including former lawmaker, college principal and three members of college governing body, bringing allegations of taking bribe from the applicants.

Bulbul demanded fair recruitments of teachers for honours classes to render quality education at the college.

Earlier, the test for recruitments was scheduled on August 22 but it was later postponed following a clash between two factions of AL.

Contacted, Principal Rafiqul Islam Khan said, "I have no information about taking bribe from the applicants".

Refuting the allegation of taking bribe, Abdus Sattar said, "Vested quarters are spreading propaganda against me to tarnish my political and social image".