32 hurt as AL, BNP clash on V-Day

At least 32 activists of Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were injured in clashes during Victory Day celebration in Khagrachhari and Feni districts yesterday.
Our Khagrachhari correspondent reported that clashes between AL and BNP in Mohalchhari and Matiranga upazilas of the district left at least 22 activists from both sides injured.
Mohammad Jubayer, officer-in-charge of Mohalchhari Police Station, quoted witnesses as saying that the clash ensued as BNP men hurled brick chips at AL activists when they were passing by the local BNP office after placing wreaths at martyrs' memorial at the upazila headquarters at around 9:00am.
At least 10 activists from both parties were injured in the clash that continued for half an hour. Police rushed to the spot, dispersed the clashing groups and brought the situation under control.
Mohalchhari upazila BNP President Mohammad Hossain Babu alleged that the ruling party men swooped on their party men in a bid to foil their discussion on the Victory Day in front of the party office. At least seven BNP men were injured during the attack, he claimed.
Refuting the allegation, upazila AL General Secretary Ratan Shil said BNP men hurled brick chips at AL activists, prompting them to retaliate.
Of the injured, Fayezul Haque, 35, organising secretary of Mohalchhari Swechchasebok Dal, Juba Dal leader Saddam Hossaion, 25, Juba League leader Mohammad Masud were admitted to Khagrachhari Adhunik Sadar Hospital while the rest given first aid at the local health complex.
In Matiranga, at least 12 people sustained injuries as the ruling party activists clashed with BNP men in front of Gomoti Union Parishad office in the morning.
Of the injured, six are undergoing treatment at Khagrachhari Adhunik Sadar Hospital while the rest took first aid at the upazila health complex.
Locals said, the trouble began at around 9:00am when the activists of the two rival parties were placing wreaths at the martyrs' memorial in front of the UP office at around 9:00am.
Contacted, President of Gomoti Union BNP unit Abul Fazal Bhuiyan alleged that the ruling party men attacked the BNP men to foil their peaceful programme.
Gomoti Union Awami League President Monir Hossaion refuted the allegation, saying that the incident occurred due to internal conflict of local BNP.
In Feni, BNP and AL activists clashed in the town and Sonagazi upazila over celebration of the Victory Day early yesterday, leaving at least 12 people from both sides injured, according to a correspondent.
Of the injured, six were admitted to hospitals in Feni and Chittagong while the rest given first aid at Feni Sadar hospital and Sonagazi Upazila Health Complex.
No case was filed with the police stations concerned in connection with the incidents as of 7:00pm yesterday.