2 killed in Kushtia AL infighting
At least two people were killed and 30 others injured in clash between two factions of ruling Awami League in Kushtia town this morning reportedly over establishing supremacy.
The deceased Iman Ali, 35, of Majhpara and Shahabuddin, 55, of Bodyianathpur were activists of AL Jhaudia union unit, reports our Kushtia correspondent.
The clash ensued at Majhpara village between the two rival groups: one led by incumbent chairman of Jhaudia Union Parishad (UP) Keramat Ali and the other by former chairman of the UP Bokhtiar Hossain. Bokhtiar is president of AL Jhaudia union unit AL, while Keramat is joint secretary of AL Kushtia Sadar upazila unit.
Sub-Inspector (SI) Atiqur Rahman, in charge of Abdalpur police camp confirmed the matter to the correspondent.
Followers of Keramat and Bokhtiar locked in an altercation around 9:00am today over previous feuds including establishing supremacy at the localities and capturing post of chairman at Jhaudia UP, said Atiqur.
At one stage, they engaged in clash that lasted for nearly an hour, fired gunshots and swooped on their rivals with lethal weapons, leaving two dead and more than 30 people injured, the police official said.
Among the two deceased, both loyal to Keramat group, Iman was gunned down and Sahabuddin was chopped to death, the SI added.
Both groups also vandalised at least 25 houses. Later law enforcers brought the situation under control.
The injured were admitted to Kushtia general hospital and other clinics in the town.
Superintendent of Police (SP) in Kushtia, Proloy Chisim and Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Joynal Abedin rushed to the spot around 10:00am.
Additional police forces were deployed there to avert further clash, said the ASP.
Sources said Keramat and Bokhtiar had longstanding rivalry over establishment of supremacy. The dispute got severe after the last UP polls were held on June 11 where Keramat was elected as chairman at the UP as an independent candidate defeating Bokhtiar who was nominated by AL.
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