Rival BNP men foil party programme, lock in clash

BNP-JCD clash injures 15

22 December 2009, 17:00 PM

Star National Desk

Ten BNP men were injured in a factional clash in Mymensingh yesterday while 15 including a policeman hurt as BNP and JCD locked in a clash in Gaibandha on Sunday. Our Correspondent in Mymensingh reports: At least 10 BNP activists were injured in a factional clash over holding an orientation programme for the BNP upazila and municipal units at Phulbaria upazila headquarters yesterday. Following the clash, the orientation programme scheduled to be held at a community centre was postponed, police said. According to police, former BNP lawmaker engineer Shamsuddin Ahmed organised an orientation meeting for the BNP upazila and municipal units at a local community centre. But Phulbaria upazila parishad chairman Principal Anwar Hossain Badsha, also a district level BNP leader, called another meeting at the same venue at the same time. When the meeting called by Shamsuddin was on, the supporters of Badsha allegedly pelted brick-bats at the venue triggering clashes between the two rival groups. Police rushed to the spot, lobbed six teargas shells and charged batons to bring the situation under control. Ten injured in the clash were treated at local clinic. Our Correspondent in Gaibandha reports: At least 15 people including a policeman were injured as the BNP and JCD activists in Palashbari upazila clashed on Sunday evening. The clash followed a dispute over celebrating recent election of Khaleda Zia and her eldest son Tarique Rahman as party chairperson and vice-chairman. Police and witnesses said Palashbari BNP organised a rally to congratulate the two leaders but it was strongly opposed by a section of upazila JCD leaders and activists. Following altercation, the BNP and JCD men locked in chase and counter chase and exchanged brickbats. Police rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. Sub-inspector Mizanur Rahman sustained head injury during the brickbat. At a stage, police resorted to baton charge to disperse the clashing groups. Besides the SI, 14 others were injured in the incident. Police also picked up Anwarul Islam, president of Palashbari upazila JCD.