Clashes broke out between members of the Students Against Discrimination at a National Citizen Party rally in Bogura yesterday, leaving at least four people injured.

One of the injured was stabbed.

The incident occurred around 4:30pm near the Titu Auditorium in Bogura town.

The injured are having treatment at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital.

The four injured are Riad Hasan, 21, joint convener of district unit of SAD; Junayed, 21, an organiser; and its members Touhid, 19, and Tahmid Hossain, 25.

Junayed was stabbed.

Speaking to The Daily Star from the hospital, Junayed said, "The NCP organised a programme demanding a ban on the Awami League, but they included activists from Chhatra League and Jamaat. We went to Sarjis Alam to raise the issue, but the NCP leaders and activists beat us, threw us out of the programme, and also stabbed me. Many of us were beaten."

In response, Sakib Mahadi, one of the organisers of the event and joint chief organiser (northern districts) of the NCP, claimed, "A faction of the Students Against Discrimination came to disrupt our event while Sarjis Alam was delivering his speech. An altercation followed. No one was stabbed."

Contacted, SM Moin Uddin, officer-in-charge of Bogura Sadar Police Station, said, "A group of 10 to 15 people arrived at the event chanting slogans, and the organisers removed them from the venue. Later, a chase and counter-chase took place on the street.

"We later learnt that some of them were injured and admitted to the hospital. No formal complaint has been filed so far. If a complaint is submitted, we will take action."

Earlier, Sarjis , chief organiser (Northern Region) of NCP, alleged that Bogura had been deprived for the past 16 years "solely due to its name".

Sarjis asserted that Ha1sina and Awami League cannot conduct any political activities in Bangladesh.

He said development projects in Bogura were neglected and the international stadium there was closed.