Rival union workers clash at Benapole port: 3 hurt

At least three cargo handling workers were injured during a clash between two rival groups of Benapole Port Cargo Handling Workers' Union over taking control of the union office yesterday.
Source said, there had been a long standing rivalry over control of the union office between two groups, one led by Rashedur Rahman Rashed, commissioner of Benapole Municipality, also a Jubo League activist and Ohidul Islam Ohid, president of Sharsha upazila unit of Jubo League.
Of the injured, Firoz Ahmed, 40, one of the supporters of Ohidul, was rushed to Jessore Medical College Hospital in critical condition.
Yesterday around 11:00am, a group of over one hundred men loyal to Rashed blasted around 20 crude bombs in front of the union office and drove away their rivals and took control of the office.
At least three workers were injured during the incident.
Earlier, Ohidul's men took control of the office in the same manner by driving out Rashed's men about two months ago, witnesses said.
Loading-unloading at the port remained suspended till filing of this report around 6:30pm yesterday.
Apurbo Hasan, officer in-charge of Benapole Port Police Station, said two labourer groups clashed over control of their union office number 925.