12 hurt as AL, BNP clash in Natore town

1 December 2009, 17:00 PM

A Correspondent, Natore

At least 12 people were injured in a clash between the activists of Awami League (AL) and BNP at Tebaria in Natore town yesterday. Locals said the clash was a sequel to Monday night's attack on Jubo Dal leader Taijul Isalm Taju by AL activists. Taju, also the general secretary of district Rickshaw Sramik Union, came under attack in Tebaria area at around 10:00pm on Monday. He was admitted to Natore Hospital. Protesting the attack, Rickshaw Sramik Union held a rally in the town, which was addressed by union president Afsar Ali and leaders Moqbul Hossain and Nure Alam. At the rally, the speakers demanded arrest of the attackers within the next 24 hours. Otherwise, they threatened to launch an agitation programme in the town. After the rally, the BNP men led by Jubo Dal leader Abul attacked AL activists Kalu and Rajan in Tebaria Bazar area, leaving them seriously injured. Hearing the news, AL activists rushed to the spot and locked in a clash with BNP men. The clashing groups used lethal weapons, injuring 12 from both sides. At one stage, the AL men attacked the house of local BNP leader Dulal Bepari and damaged doors and windows of the house. Police and Rab personnel rushed to the spot, dispersed the rioters and brought the situation under control. Locals said they heard gunshots during the clash, but the officer-in-charge of Natore Police Station said no bullets were fired during the clash.