AL Infighting: 300 men sued in Patuakhali

Police sued some 300 unidentified men over the attack on law enforcers during Friday's clash between two factions of the ruling Awami League in Patuakhali.

The case was filed with Bauphal Police Station in connection to the incident that left nine of its police personnel, including Officer-in-Charge Al Mamun, injured while they were trying to quell the situation.

Speaking to The Daily Star, OC Mamun said they would conduct a thorough investigation and take legal action accordingly.

At least 50 people were injured in the clash that took place around 11:30am during the celebration of the 103rd birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day in Bauphal upazila.

Among the injured, Motaleb Howladar, the upazila unit AL general secretary, was still undergoing treatment for his critical injuries at Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

Motaleb's ring finger on his right hand was severed, ASM Sayem, medical officer of Bauphal upazila Health Complex told The Daily Star on Friday,

He also sustained injuries to his chest, head, leg and elbow of his right arm, the physician added.

On Friday, local AL lawmaker ASM Feroz and Abdul Motaleb Hawlader, also the upazila chairman, announced separate programmes at the same time and place.

When Motaleb and his followers brought out a celebratory procession, police obstructed the procession in front of the upazila parishad gate.

Suddenly, several hundred supporters of ASM Feroz, attacked Motaleb and his men with sharp weapons when an altercation broke out between the two parties.

Law enforcers fired at least 20 rounds of rubber bullets to bring the situation under control, causing panic among locals.