40 hurt as AL factions clash in Jhenidah

At least 40 people were injured in a clash between two groups of Awami League (AL) at Putimari village under Shailakupa upazila of Jhenidah district on Wednesday night.
Locals said the members of AL Fulhari unit have been divided into two groups over fielding candidates for the post of chairman in the coming Fulbari Union Parishad election.
One faction is led by Fazar Ali while the other by Sarwar Hossain. Both are from Putimari village and want to contest the election to the post of UP chairman.
At around 9:00pm on Wednesday, the supporters of the two rival groups had an altercation over choosing candidate for the post and then locked in a fierce clash, leaving at least 40 people from both sides injured
The feuding groups used lethal weapons during the clash that continued for three hours. Being informed, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.
Of the injured, 26 were admitted to Jhenidah Hospital while the rest to Shailakupa Upazila Health Complex. As the condition of two deteriorated, Jhenidah Hospital referred them to Khulna Medical College and Hospital early yesterday. They are Mansur Ali and Altaf Hossain of Putimari village.
No case was filed Sailakupa Police Station in connection with the incident as of filing of this report at 4:00pm yesterday. Additional police have been deployed at the village to avert any further clash.