Four killed in AL infighting in Kushtia, Jamalpur

Four people were killed and 36 others injured in clashes between two factions of ruling Awami League in Kushtia and Jamalpur yesterday.

In another incident, supporters of an upazila-level Jubo League leader severely beat up five people, including a president aspirant of Chhatra League Kulla union unit, over the upcoming council of the BCL unit in Satkhira's Ashashuni upazila early yesterday.

In Kushtia, a clash ensued between the men of Keramat Ali, Jhoudia Union Parishad chairman and also AL Jhoudia union unit president, and Bokhtiar Hossain, former AL president of the unit and also former chairman of the UP, in Bakhoil village of Kushtia Sadar, said police.

The victims are Nazrul Islam, 39, and Billal Hossain, 32, of the village.

Both Keramat and Bokhtiar have criminal records, and they had been involved in outlawed Gono Bahini. They joined the AL after the party assumed power in 2009, claimed police.

Keramat was elected Jhoudia UP chairman in 2016 defeating Bokhtiar, who became chairman of the UP in 2011.

Ratan Sheikh, officer-in-charge of Islamic University Police Station, said some supporters of both groups were locked in an altercation at Jhoudia Bazar over lease of a water body and cattle market around 1:30pm.

Around 2:30pm, both groups, equipped with firearms and sharp weapons, attacked each other. The clash that lasted for around an hour left Nazrul and Billal dead on the spot and injured 25 others.

The OC added that several gunshots were heard during the clash.

The injured were admitted to different hospitals and clinics in Kushtia and Rajshahi, while the deceased bodies were sent to Kushtia General Hospital morgue for autopsies.

Keramat said the deceased were involved with AL and claimed that they were his supporters.

He alleged that defeated in UP chairman election, Bokhtiar and his men tried to attack him and his men several times to take revenge.

The Daily Star tried to communicate with Bokhtiar for comments, but failed as his mobile phone was switched off.

Seven people were detained in connection with this incident.

In Jamalpur, two people were killed and 11 others wounded in a clash between two groups of AL activists in Phuljur village of Madarganj upazila yesterday.

The victims are Rashedul, 26, and Sobahan, 40, of the village.

Quoting locals, police said Almas, member of ward-7 unit of AL under Jorkhali Union Parishad, and his men were locked in an altercation with Jahurul Islam, who is the member of the same ward and a local Jubo League leader, over the formation of Phuljur Government Primary School's managing committee on Tuesday. At one stage, Almas' men assaulted Jahurul.

Around 10:00am yesterday, Jahurul and his men attacked Almas' supporters, including his son Rashedul, in the village, said Shahidul Islam, officer-in-charge of Madarganj Police Station.

Critically injured Rashedul and Sobahan were taken to the upazila health complex and they were later moved to Jamalpur General Hospital where doctors declared them dead, said the OC.

Police detained seven people in this connection.

In Satkhira, five people, including Uzzal Ghosh, a president aspirant of BCL Kulla union unit, were beaten up allegedly by supporters of Delwar Hossain, joint convener of Ashashuni upazila unit Jubo League, at Kochua in Ashashuni upazila early yesterday.

Uzzal alleged that Delwar along with his nephew Khairul, another president aspirant in the unit, and others attacked him in front of Kochua Girls High School around midnight.

When locals, including his father, tried to save him, Delwar's men also attacked them.

Police held two people in connection with the incident, said Shahidul Islam, officer-in-charge of Ashashuni Police Station.

UNB adds: Sreekol AL President Amir Hossain was beaten up and his shop also looted allegedly by some BNP activists, led by BNP leader Abu Sayed Mandol, at Sreekol Bazar on Wednesday evening, triggering a clash that left 10 people wounded.

Amir had a longstanding conflict with Sayed over establishing supremacy in the area, said Rezaul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sreepur Police Station.