20 injured in AL infighting In Bhola

At least 20 people were injured in a clash between two rival groups of Awami League near Sharif Khan Bazar in Sadar upazila on Tuesday night.

Six of the injured--Md Khokon Hawlader, 55, Md Nasir, 50, Md Altaf, 45, Md Mokbul Hossain, 60, Md Ibrahim, 30 and Md Yousuf, 30--were admitted to Bhola Sadar Hospital while the rest given first aid at the upazila health complex.

Mobassir Ali, officer in-charge of Bhola Sadar Model Police Station, said there had been a long-standing rivalry between Md Harun Farazi, organising secretary of Velumiah Union unit of Awami Leauge, and Md Khokon Hawlader, general secretary of ward No 8 unit of the party, over establishment supremacy in the union.

Following an altercation between two supporters of Harun and Khokon at the Bazar in the afternoon, supporters belonging to both groups, equipped with lethal weapons, swooped on each other at around 7:30pm. At least 20 people from both sides injured during the clash that continued for an hour.

Being informed, law enforcers led by Sub Inspector Md Mahmud of Velumiah police camp rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.