40 injured as soccer fans clash in Rajshahi

Some 40 people, including journalists and police, were injured as followers of two soccer teams involved in a clash at Rajshahi district stadium last night.
Photojournalist Abdus Samad of local Bengali daily Sun Shine was admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital with bullet injury on his left thigh. Photojournalists Iqbal, Kabir Tuhin, Dukhu and another person Apel were also treated at the hospital.
Police said Joynal, a drive of police vehicle, was also injured in the incident.
The clash erupted at around 8.45pm when a player of ward number 13 beat up a referee as he declared a goal of the opposite team of ward number 11 valid in the Councilor Cup Football Tournament. Rajshahi City Corporation sponsored the tournament for gearing up soccer in the city.
To control the situation, police fired several rubber bullets and clubbed the mob indiscriminately.
Police brought the situation under control at around 9.30pm and the tournament went on.