Rivalry in AL claims one life, injures 25

Rivalry between two Awami League (AL) leaders turned deadly yesterday, leaving one dead and 25 others injured, as armed loyalists of both the leaders clashed over a disputed relationship between a boy and a girl in Kumarkhali upazila.

Ali Azam Munshi, 50, follower of former Kushtia-4 lawmaker Abdur Rouf, died on the spot during the clash that lasted about an hour at Banshgram village market, said AKM Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kumarkhali Police Station.

Around 8:30am, loyalists of Rouf and Abdul Mannan Khan, chairman of Kumarkhali Upazila Parishad and president of AL’s Kumarkhali upazila unit, locked in an altercation over the boy and girl’s romance.

The boy’s father belongs to Rouf group, while the girl’s father to Mannan group.

The arguments soon turned violent when both groups attacked each other with firearms and sharp weapons. Several gunshots were heard during the clash, the OC also said.

The injured were admitted to different medical facilities in Kushtia town and the body of the deceased was sent to Kushtia General Hospital morgue for autopsy.

When contacted, Abdul Mannan Khan blamed his adversary former lawmaker Rouf for the incident. “After failing to get nomination from the party in the last parliamentary election, he [Rouf] is now taking revenge on AL activists,” he said.

Abdur Rouf could not be reached for his comments as his cellphone was found turned off.

Police remain at guard in the area to avert any further untoward situation, the OC said.