22 hurt as locals clash with cops in Noakhali

At least 22 people, including five policemen, were injured in a clash between police and locals over reinstatement of a headmaster of a school in Sonaimuri upazila yesterday.
Police said the managing committee of Abul Khayer High School called a meeting at the school in the morning to reinstate headmaster Mominul Islam who was removed from the post earlier.
About 1,000 locals, who oppose his reinstatement, came to the school and chanted slogans against Mominul. In the face of agitation by the locals, the managing committee called police who escorted the headmaster to the school.
As the agitating people surrounded the members of the managing committee, police charged batons, leaving 17 people injured. Five policemen received injuries as locals hurled brickbats at them.
Police then fired rubber bullets, dispersed the agitators and brought the situation under control.
Of the injured, Sub-Inspector Shafiqul Islam, Naik Siraj, constables Abul Kalam, Hamas Ullah and Pear Uddin were admitted to Noakhali General Hospital while the rest given first aid at local health complex.