AL, Jubo Dal factions clash

In similar factional clashes 11 Jubo Dal activists were injured in Kalapara upazila town under Patuakhali district on the same day.

The clashes at Bakerganj took place between the followers of Masud Reza, former AL lawmaker and Shamsul Alam Chunnu, an AL nomination aspirant.

Witnesses said a preparatory meeting to observe August 15 as national mourning day was called by Bakerganj upazila AL at the house of late Fakruddin Dakua, former upazila AL president in Bakerganj town yesterday morning.

Masud Reza protested the presence of Shamsul Alam Chunnu in the meeting and asked him to leave the place saying Chunnu was expelled from the party due to his role in the last national election.

However the other AL leaders including Ismail Hossain Howladar, upazila AL president rejected his demand saying Chunnu was permitted by Abul Hasnat Abdullah, district AL secretary to attend and participate in all activities of the party.

The altercation triggered clashes between the followers of Masud Reza and Chunnu. Chasing and counter chasing with lethal weapons and chanting of slogans, brickbat for about an hour. Police baton charged to control the situation.

In Patuakhali, two factions of Jubo Dal led by Gazi Akter and Harunor Rashid, president and secretary of Kalapara upazila unit engaged in an hour long clash on yesterday over leadership dispute.

The clashes and chasing counter chasing started at about 10-30 am in the morning in sluice gate area and spread to bus stand, launch station, local bazar and other areas of the town.