15 injured in AL factional clash

At least 15 people were injured, mostly in bullets in factional clashes between the supporters of two lawmakers of the ruling Awami League at Mirpur in Dhaka on Sunday noon.
Witnesses said that the supporters of local lawmaker Aslamul Haque and reserved seat lawmaker Sabina Akter Tuhin were demonstrating in Mirpur-1 area since morning against the general strike called by Jamaat-e-Islami for the day.
Mirpur, Shah Ali and Darussalam unit Awami League activists carried out a procession led by Sabina Akter Tuhin in Mukta Bangla Market area at about 11:45am, when some 15 youths, allegedly supporters of Aslamul, attacked the procession with iron rods and sticks.
Sabina’s supporters chased the youths who then went to Maran Chand area where Aslamul was staying along with cops of Darussalam police station, the witnesses said.
At about 1:00pm, Aslamul’s supporters regrouped and attacked the supporters of Sabina in front of the Mukta Bangla market triggering the clash that left 15 activists of both groups injured.
Shah Ali unit Awami Juba League joint convener Mofizur Rahman Shuva, Aslamul’s accomplices Ezaz Ahmed Swapan, Bindu Zakir and Monir led the attack, the witnesses said.
Aslamul, however, left the area just before the clash erupted, said the witnesses.
Later, law enforcers contained the situation firing blank shots at about 12:30pm, said Shah Ali police station officer-in-charge Anwar Hossain.
Several crude bombs were also blasted in the Mukta Bangla Market area, sending a chill through the area. The shops were closed and pedestrians were seen running for safety, said a shop keeper.
The injured supporters of Aslamul were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital while Sabina’s supporters were admitted to different hospitals.
Aslamul’s supporters alleged that Sabina’s supporters attacked them with firearms.
Sabina denied the allegation saying that police fired bullets to disperse the unruly supporters of Aslamul and that might have injured them.
Sabina alleged that she also came under attack by the men of Aslam.
‘Aslamul ordered his goons to attack me and my followers,’ she alleged.
Aslamul was not available for comments. He did not respond the call New Age made repeatedly to his mobile phone.
Mirpur unit AL president Abdul Hanif said that he observed the attackers and they belonged to Aslamul group.
Shah Ali unit AL secretary general Kashem Mollah also alleged that Aslamul incited the clash.
Shah Ali police officer-in-charge Anwar said that police fired bullets to contain the situation, but it was under investigation whether the injured received bullets fired by police or the factions.
He said that no group field any case.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net