Strife deepens in local AL units [ Tritiyo Matra News ]

Strife deepens in local AL units

Local February 05, 2017

Infighting in the ruling Awami League and its associate organisations are on the rise as at least eight people, including an on duty journalist, a farmer and a pedestrian woman, have been killed in intra-party clashes since January 1.
The infightings also injured 100 people and caused deterioration of the law and order while activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League again spoiled the normal academic atmosphere at several educational institutions in the recent days.
Local people and party leaders said that the intra-party clashes took place because of establishing supremacy in the locality and controlling politics and business as the government was heading towards the end of its second consecutive term.
At least two AL organising secretaries told New Age on Saturday that personal interest was the main reason for the intra-party clashes.
‘Some people are causing the intra-party clashes to establish supremacy in the locality and the party ahead of next general elections,’ said AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister.
‘They are depending on intruders and parasites …. We have taken the matters seriously,’ he said.
Obaidul Quader and party presidium member Pijush Kanti Bhattacharya said that people found responsible for killing the journalist and others would face actions.
‘We are sorry for the death of a journalist in Shahjadpur,’ said AL organising secretary Ahmmad Hossain.
Ahmmad Hossain and another organising secretary Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury said that they wanted prompt actions from administrations against the troublemakers.
Bangla daily Samakal correspondent at Shahjadpur upazila in Sirajganj Abdul Hakim Shimul succumbed to his injuries on Friday, a day after he was shot allegedly by AL-backed Shahjadpur municipal mayor.
The journalist was capturing photos of the mayor and his supporters brandished firearms during an intra-party clash over a construction deal.
New Age correspondent in Sirajganj reported that a gunshot from a shotgun of municipal mayor Halimul Haque Miru, also a local AL leader, wounded the journalist. His death triggered protests in Sirajganj and elsewhere in the country as the protesters demanded justice.
The grandmother of the slain journalist, Rokeya Begum, 90, who was visiting Shimul’s house, also died of cardiac arrest as the journalist’s body was taken there.
AL activist Idris Ali was killed and 10 others were injured as two groups of the Awami League clashed at Mathpara village under sadar upazila in Kushtia on Friday over establishing supremacy in the area.
Kushtia model police station officer-in-charge Rabiul Islam said that the clash was a result of an old dispute between Jiarakhi union Awami League general secretary Abdul Kader and ward AL president Afzal Hossen over establishing prominence in the area. Iris was a supporter of Afzal.
Bhadrabila union AL president Prabash Ray was killed at his village in Narail on Thursday. Prabash’s wife Tutul Rani alleged that her husband was ‘killed over infighting of the party over nomination of party candidate in the latest union council election.’
Three people were shot dead and 22 were injured as Awami League and its associated youth body Juba League clashed at Dirai upazila in Sunamganj over pos
session of a local water body on January 17.
Tajul Islam, 33, Shaharul Islam, 28, and Uzzal Mia, 30, of Dirai sustained bullet injuries during clashes between the followers of Dirai municipal mayor Mosharraf Miah, also upazila AL joint general secretary, and supporters of former upazila Juba League convening committee member Ekram Hossain.
The clash took place over possession of a marshland, nearby Jalia river, local people said.
On January 10, farmer Hossain Khan, 30, was killed and 25 people were injured in a clash between two groups Awami League activists at Barakandi village of Janjira upazila in Shariatpur.
Clash between supporters of former Barakandi union parishad chairman Shafiq Bepari and incumbent chairman Siraj Sardar over establishing supremacy in the area took the life of the farmer, local people said.
Housewife Shipra Kundu was killed by a bullet fired targeting Khulna city Awami League publicity secretary ZA Mahmud Don in Sritolabari crossing on January 1.
Besides, Chhatra League activists of Jagannath Hall unit of Dhaka University beat five students who went to celebrate Saraswati Puja on Thursday on the hall ground.
At least three students of Dhaka College were injured as two groups Chhatra League clashed at the hostels of the college on January 20 over establishing supremacy on the campus.