Supporters of municipal chairman, commissioners clash: 65 hurt

Of the injured, 35 were taken to the Sadar Hospital while the rest were admitted to different clinics in the town. Condition of six of the injured is critical, hospital sources said.

The municipality office was attacked and at least 15 houses and five shops were damaged during the clash that broke in the Chowrasta intersection and spilled over to nearby areas, police said.

Police were deployed at different points in the town as tension mounted.

According to Sadar thana police and pourashava sources, some 12 ward commissioners of Sirajganj municipality submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner protesting alleged corruption, mismanagement and irregularities done by Municipality chairman Nur-e-Alam Helal.

Following this, supporters of Helal brought out a procession in the town against the ward commissioners and chanted slogans against them, which was opposed by supporters of the 12 ward commissioners.

Both sides used lethal weapons during the clash, police and witnesses said.

Police from the Sadar thana with reinforcement from Kandapara police line brought the situation under control.

Police fired two rubber bullets and four tear gas shells to disperse the clashing men.

Sources in the municipal office said Helal and the 12 ward commissioners were at odds for long over distribution of pourasava development work.