15 hurt as AL, JP men clash in Rangpur

At least 15 people were injured in a clash between the activists of Awami League and Jatiya Party at Baderganj upazila headquarters yesterday.
The clash ensued following an altercation between Jatiya Party lawmaker from Rangpur-2 constituency Anisul Islam Mondol and Kutubpur Union Parishad Chairman Istiaque Ahmed over distribution of rice under Test Relief (TR) programme at a meeting in the conference room of the upazila complex in the afternoon.
Four of the injured were admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital while the rest were given first aid at the upazila health complex.
Upazila Chairman Biswanath Sarker Bitu, also a local Awami League leader, said Jatiya Party MP Anisul Islam Mondol and Kutubpur Union Parishad Chairman Istiaque Ahmed had an altercation after the lawmaker demanded 50 tonnes of rice under TR programme in the meeting.
As a rumour spread that upazila Chairman Biswanath Sarker Bitu and his men beat up Anisul Islam Mondal, JP leaders and activists besieged the chairman's office.
Hearing the news Awami League activists rushed to the upazila complex and attacked the JP men. During attack and counter-attack, at least 15 people from both sides were injured. Police rushed to spot and dispersed the clashing groups.
Anisul Islam Mondol told this correspondent that he did not place any demand for rice under TR programme in the meeting. "Chairman Istiaque Ahmed, instigated by Upazila Charman Bitu, insulted me without any reason and later Bitu's men attacked JP activists at the upazila complex," the lawmaker alleged.
Contacted, Upazila Chairman Biswanath Sarker Bitu said JP lawmaker Anisul Islam Mondol and his supporter swooped on the AL men, leaving five of them injured.
Upazila Parishad convened the meeting for allotment of rice under TR programme. Upazila Parishad vice-chairmen, upazila nirbahi officer and chairmen of all unions under Bederganj upazila attened the meeting with Upazila Chairman Biswanath Sarker Bitu in the meeting. Anisul Islam Mondal MP was also present in the meeting as an adviser of the TR committee.