200 injured, houses damaged as BNP factions clash

12 August 2009, 17:00 PM

Our Correspondent, B'baria

At least 200 people were injured in a clash between two factions of BNP Sarail upazila unit yesterday. The BNP Sarail unit has been divided into two factions over upazila election held in January this year. One faction is led by upazila unit President Advocate Abdur Rahman while the other by Secretary Anwar Master. Police and locals said yesterday's clash was a sequel to an attack on Anwar Master by his party rivals on Tuesday night. Both sides attacked each other at around noon. They used sharp weapons during the clash, leaving at least 200 from both sides injured. Ten houses and one educational institution were damaged and some shops looted during the clash that continued for four hours. Law enforcers from Sarail Police Station and district headquarters rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. They had to fire nine teargas shell to disperse the clashing groups. The seriously injured were admitted to Sarail Upazila Health Complex while the rest given first aid at the hospital and other clinics. No one was arrested as of filing of this report at 7:30pm yesterday.