Four hurt in violence over AL tickets

At least four people were injured in Barishal and a highway was blocked in Mymensingh yesterday following feuds over Awami League nomination for the upcoming national elections.

Four activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) were injured in a factional clash at Badarpur under Mehendiganj upazila after the ruling AL had declared nomination for Barishal-4 constituency, reports our Barishal Correspondent.

Locals and witnesses said a BCL group led by Shiab Uddin, follower of local AL lawmaker Pankaj Nath, attacked upazila unit BCL vice-president Raju Khan and his companions, who are followers of upazila unit AL president and Zilla Parishad Chairman Maidul Islam, in the afternoon.

Pankaj has got the AL ticket, which was also sought by Maidul.

Both groups used sharp and lethal weapons and chased and counter-chased each other creating panic in the area. Two shops were vandalised during the clash.

Md Masud Khan, officer-in-charge (OC) of Mehendiganj police, said the BCL leaders are cousins but have old rivalry over different issues. No-one was arrested and no case was filed as of 8:45 last night.

In Mymensingh, hundreds of supporters of AL central leader Abdus Sattar put up a barricade on Mymensingh-Kishoreganj Highway seeking nomination for him in Mymensingh-8 constituency.

“We have been seeking his nomination for several months as he is a popular leader and was elected as MP twice in the past. If he is not nominated, BNP will win the race here,” said Abdul Hekim, general secretary of Ishwarganj upazila unit AL, who was leading the agitation.

It could not be confirmed immediately who got the nomination in the constituency as of 8:45pm, reports our Mymensingh Correspondent.

Ahmed Kabir Hossain, OC of Ishwarganj police, said the blockade was put up around 12:00pm and lifted around 4:15pm.