30 hurt as BNP factions clash at Patuakhali

During the clash, the supporters of Patuakhali Municipality Chairman Moshtaq Ahmed also attacked the house of former minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury and vandalised five business establishments and a motorcycle in Titas Cinema area.

Later, they set fire to a BNP office at Kathpatti, about one and a half km away from the cinema.

Nine of the injured -- Krishak Dal district unit President ASM Abdur Rob, BNP leaders Idresh Mia and Bashar, Jubo Dal activists Suja, SM Touhid, Noman and Ismail and Sub-Inspector Shah Newaz and Assistant Sub-Inspector Shah Alam -- were admitted to different hospitals and clinics.

Witnesses and police said BNP leader Moshtaq Ahmed submitted his nomination paper for the forthcoming election from Patuakhali-1 constituency at about 5:00pm yesterday.

After submitting the nomination paper, Moshtaq and his supporters were returning to the party office in a procession. But the procession came under attack in front of Titas Cinema when some supporters chanted slogans against his rival Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, resulting in the clash between the activists of two factions.

Moshtaq's followers also hurled pieces of bricks at the house of Altaf and vandalised business establishments.

Later, at a press conference Moshtaq blamed Altaf for the attack on his procession and demanded a fair investigation into the incident.

When contacted shortly after the clash, Altaf said, "I could not say anything about it right now. I would brief reporters later."

Additional policemen were deployed in different points of the town to avert further clashes.