25 Mohila AL activists hurt in AL men's attack

At least 25 activists of Mohila Awami League, the women's front of the ruling Awami League (AL), were injured in an attack by AL men over previous rivalry at Rupganj upazila in Narayanganj yesterday.

The female activists, who are followers of Ferdousi Alam Nila, women affairs secretary of Rupaganj upazila unit AL, locked in an altercation with supporters of two local AL leaders at the book distribution ceremony at Yusufganj School and College in the area around 10:00am.

Later, around 4:00pm, both the groups sat for arbitration at Nila's office but they locked into an altercation again. At one stage, supporters of Mohammad Almas and Anwar Hossain attacked the female activists, leaving them injured, said local sources.

The attackers also ransacked the office, alleged the Mohila AL activists.

Contacted, Almas and Anwar denied the allegation of attack, and alleged that the women themselves vandalised Nila's office to pass the blame onto them.

However, Nila could not be contacted over the phone.

Shila Rani Paul, general secretary of Rupganj upazila unit of Mohila Awami League, demanded exemplary punishment for the attackers.

Ismail Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Rupganj Police Station, said an investigation was going on to take legal action in this regard.