Protesters attack minister's house, assault AL leader

Demonstrators attacked Water Resources Minister Ramesh Chandra Sen's village home on Friday night, protesting what they said 'unjustified change' of the earlier announced gazette notification to create a new union comprising part of existing Ruhea union.
The agitators also beat up Ashraful Islam, president of Ruhea union unit of Awami League, and two others.
The district administration on May 24 this year issued a gazette notification for making a new union parishad (UP), dividing Ruhea union into two parts, DC office sources said.
After the gazette notification was made public on August 17, the people of eastern portion of Ruhea union expressed their dissatisfaction as important educational institutions including Ruhea Boys' High School, Ruhea Girls' High School and Ruhea Degree College would fall within the jurisdiction of the new UP comprising the western part.
Protesting splitting of the union and demanding 'correction' of the gazette, they observed different programmes including human chain, road block, public gathering and hartal since August 20.
Minister Ramesh Chandra Sen attended a meeting of the representatives of two sides of Ruhea union on Friday afternoon. There he announced 'necessary correction' of the gazette notification.
As the news spread in the area, the people of western side became agitated and gathered in front of the minister's home at Ramnath village.
At one stage they attacked the house, threw brickbats and damaged its windows and doors.
The agitators also damaged the house of union AL President Ashraful Islam, beat him and two others.
On information, police went to the spot and brought the situation under control.
During the incident, Minister Ramesh Sen was staying at the Circuit House in the town.
People of western portion of the union organised a public meeting yesterday demanding implementation of the decision that was earlier published through a gazette notification.
They warned of tougher movement otherwise.