9 hurt in clash in Chittagong

At least nine people, including a pregnant woman, were injured in a clash between the supporters of two chairman candidates in Shah Mirpur area of the port city yesterday.

Supporters of Awami League chairman candidate Didarul Alam and AL rebel candidate Shahjahan of Baro Uthan union got locked into a clash over tearing down of banners of Shahjahan's brother who is a member candidate in the fifth phase of union parishad polls, police said.

The injured were taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, said Mohammad Yusuf, a constable of CMCH Police Camp.

A six-month pregnant woman named Fatema was injured during the clash. She later gave birth to a stillborn baby, Fatema's husband Amir Hossain claimed.

Amir alleged that Shahjahan's supporters attacked him at his house and injured his wife while she tried to save him.

The couple was undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Didarul Alam claimed that Shahjahan's supporters launched an attack on his men after Juma prayers. They also attacked Amir at his house and injured his wife, he added.

Shahjahan, however, refuted the allegation. He claimed that Alam's supporters carried out the attack on his men without any provocation.

Regarding the attack on Fatema, Shajahan claimed that the woman gave birth to a stillborn baby around 10:00am, before the clash took place.

Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Karnaphuli Police Station, said they heard that a pregnant woman was injured during the clash.