35 hurt in BCL infighting

At least 35 people were injured in clashes between different factions of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) across the country as the pro-Awami League student organisation celebrated its 68th founding anniversary yesterday.

The injured were given treatments.

CHITTAGONG

Around 20 people were injured at the Central Shaheed Minar of the district after a clash took place between two groups of the city unit BCL.

Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali police Jasim Uddin said two groups of BCL locked in a scuffle and altercation around 1:00pm over a trifling matter and began to throw plastic chairs at each other.

The organisation's senior leaders intervened and brought the situation under control.

Despite several attempts, our Chittagong correspondent could not reach city unit President Emran Ahmed Imu and General Secretary Nurul Azim Rony for comments.

THAKURGAON

At least 10 people were injured in infighting between rival groups of BCL over establishing supremacy at the organisation office.

The clash took place around 12:30pm when leaders and activists of a faction led by district unit President Mahabub Hossain Rony and General Secretary Sanwar Parvez Pulok locked in a clash with another faction led by GM Siraj Mizan and Sourov Das near Naresh Chowhan Road over control of the organisation office.

Both factions held separate rallies marking the anniversary and marched towards the party's central office in the town.

Police fired eight teargas canisters to disperse the armed activists.

OC of Thakurgaon police Moshiur Rahman said the situation was under control and additional police were deployed to ward off any untoward incident.

Activists of the pro-AL student body wielding sharp weapons. Photo: Star

MOULVIBAZAR

Five BCL men were hurt and six shops vandalised in a clash between two factions in Rikabibazar area around 2:00pm.

OC of Kotwali police Suhel Ahmed said there had been a longstanding feud between President of Sylhet district unit BCL Shahriar Ahmed and BCL activist Shahin Ahmed over taking control of the area.

 On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.