Hartal in Companiganj: police charge baton on Quader Mirza’s supporters, 15 hurt

At least 15 people were injured when police charged baton on the supporters of Abdul Quader Mirza, mayor of Basurhat municipality, as they are observing a dawn-to-dusk hartal in Companiganj upazila of Noakhali today.

Quader Mirza, younger brother of Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, called the hartal in Companiganj upazila, protesting "attack on his men" by his rivals yesterday.

According to Quader Mirza's supporters, they brought out a procession from Rupali Chattar in Basurhat Bazar around 7:30am.

When they reached near Companiganj Police Station, police charged baton, leaving at least 15 people injured, they claimed.

However, Officer-in-Charge of the police station Mir Zahidul Haque Ronny said Quader Mirza threatened him and the inspector (investigation) and also physically and verbally assaulted some senior police officials.

Police charged baton when his supporters were trying to create chaos there, our Noakhali correspondent reports quoting the OC.

District administration has appointed two executive magistrates to maintain law and order in the area.

Besides, 40 Rab members and 110 police have been deployed in Companiganj.

At least 50 people were injured in clashes between two factions of ruling Awami League -- one was led by Abdul Quader Mirza and another by Mizanur Rahman Badal -- over establishing supremacy in Companiganj yesterday.

Badal, organising secretary of upazila unit AL, is also a follower of lawmakers Ekramul Karim Chowdhury and Nizam Uddin Hazari.