40 hurt as Hizbut Towhid men clash with villagers in Noakhali

30 activists held, CDs, books, leaflets seized

11 March 2009, 18:00 PM

A Correspondent, Noakhali

At least 40 people, including five policemen, were injured in a clash between Hizbut Towhid activists and villagers at Porkora village under Chasirhat Union of Sonaimuri upazila on Tuesday night. Of them, three villagers received bullet injuries and are now undergoing treatment at Sonaimuri Hospital. They are Anisul Haq, Shahadat and Nurul Haque. The angry villagers ransacked the house of Hizbut Towhid district Ameer Main Uddin and set it afire. Police fire 16 shots and tear gas shells to bring the situation under control. Police arrested 30 Hizbut Towhid men, including 12 women workers, and seized leaflets, books and CDs at the house of the district ameer. Receiving information that a group of Hizbut Towhid workers were holding a meeting at Sobhan Miah's house at the village at around 7:00pm, local people surrounded the house. At one stage, the Hizbut Towhid's men started hurling brickbats at the villagers and chased them. After a few minutes, the villagers made counter attack, leading to a fierce clash between the two sides. On information, a police team from Sonaimuri Police Station, led by ASP (Circle) Hasanuzzaman, went to the spot. They fired bullets and tear gas shells to disperse the clashing groups. During the clash, 40 people, including five policemen, were injured. The injured policemen are Babul Chandra Banik,officer-in-charge of Sonaimuri Police Station, and constables Abul Kalam, Wahidur Rahman, Shushil and Kalam. They along with other injured were admitted to local health complex. A case has been filed with Sonaimuri Police Station against the arrestees. Local people said over 200 people (male and female) are active in the area under the banner of Hizbut Towhid.