BNP man killed in Bogra infighting during hartal

A BNP man was killed and five others were injured as two rival groups of the main opposition party clashed in Gabtali municipality area of the district yesterday.
The deceased was identified as Shahjahan Ali Fakir, 43, son of late Sayeed Ali Fakir of Chok Dawor village in the upazila.
Locals said, there had been a longstanding conflict between the two groups-one led by Gabtoli Upazila Parishad Chairman and Joint Secretary of BNP district unit Zaidur Rahman Helal and the other by Gabtoli Municipality Mayor and Upazila BNP General Secretary Morshed Milton--over establishing supremacy in the upazila.
The trouble began at around 1:15pm when the two groups took position at Tinmatha crossing at the upazila headquarters at around 1:30pm to take out a procession in support of the countrywide 60-hour hartal enforced by BNP-led 18-party alliance at 6:00am yesterday.
At one stage of altercation, Mayor Milton's men hacked Shahjahan of Helal group with sharp weapons, resulting in his death on the spot. The two rival groups then swooped on each other, leaving at least five people from both sides injured.
Police charged batons and dispersed the clashing groups. The injured-- Tajul, Arefin, Zillur, Juwan and Sohan--are undergoing treatment at Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital.
ASP Gaziur Rahman said the body was sent to the hospital morgue for autopsy. No case was filed with the police station concerned in connection with the incident as of 4:00pm yesterday.
Following the clash, local administration imposed Section 144 in and around the municipality area for an indefinite period. Additional police have been deployed at the upazila headquarters to avert any further clash between the two BNP factions.