Seven leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League (AL) were injured in crude bomb blasts just after the announcement of a new committee for AL Bahadurpur union in Kushtia’s Bheramara upazila last night. 

Witnesses and party sources said at least 10 cocktails exploded on the ground of Bahadurpur High School around 7:30pm when Shamim Ahmed and Ujjal Hossain were declared president and general secretary (GS) of the new committee respectively.

Akteruzzaman Mithu, AL Bheramara upazila unit president and also the upazila chairman; and Shamimul Islam Chana, mayor of Bheramara municipality and also AL general secretary of the upazila unit, were also present at the council held on the school premises.

Soon after the declaration of the new committee, Ratan Ali, an aspirant for the post of GS protested. Later, at least 10 cocktails blasted on the spot leaving seven people including Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal Mukul, panel chairman and also councillor of Kushtia Zilla Parishad was injured.

The injured received primary treatment from the local hospital.

Shamimul Islam Chana blamed GS aspirant Ratan and his brother Paban for the blasts as they failed to get the post.

However, Ratan denied the allegation and alleged that the committee was formed by “non-Awami Leaguer”.

Confirming the incident, Sheikh Obaidullah, officer-in-charge (Investigation) of Bheramara Police Station said the situation is now under their control.