50 injured as BCL factions clash
The workers of the rebel group attacked Ekushey TV Gopalganj correspondent Badal Saha
An activist of ruling Awami League backed Chhatra League brandishes a machete during a factional feud at Bangabandhu University College in Gopalganj yesterday.Photo: STAR
Gopalganj -At least 50 persons including journalists, politicians and police were injured yesterday in a clash between Bangladesh Chhatra League factions over student union election at Gopalganj Government Bangabandhu University College. The house of district Mohila Awami League president Nasima Akhter Rubel was ransacked and a motorcycle was damaged during the clash.
Following the unrest, the college authorities suspended the election at 12:30pm yesterday and shut the college for an indefinite period. The principal ordered students to leave the halls immediately.Local Press Club and Gopalganj Reporters' Forum held separate meetings at noon protesting at the attack on journalists during the clash. The meetings condemned the attack and demanded legal action against the culprits.
Witnesses said the polling began at 8:00am and after an hour supporters of Chhatra League nominated panel beat up leaders and members of its rebel group and drove them out of the polling booths. Supporters of the nominated panel also chased the rebels out of the college premises.
As activists of the rebel group who did not get nomination tried to enter the college around 11:00am, two groups were locked into a clash with sticks, machetes and other locally made weapons. Around 10 persons sustained injuries on the campus and 40 others were injured at different parts of the town as the clash spread out.
Of the injured, five were admitted to Goplaganj Hospital and others were given treatment at private clinics.The workers of the rebel group attacked Ekushey TV Gopalganj correspondent Badal Saha at Public Hall crossing while he was taking snaps. The clash continued until 3:00pm at different parts of the town. Shops remained closed during the clash.
Meanwhile, members of the rebel group distributed a press release among journalists. In the press release, they said the supporters of Chhatra League nominated panel ousted them from the polling booths and were putting seals in favour of their candidate on the ballot papers.
Kotalipara upazila Chhatra League unit barricaded Gopalganj-Kotalipara road from 2:00pm to 3:00pm in protest at the ousting of the students from the college premises. It also held a rally at upazila parishad office in the afternoon.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=143141
Following the unrest, the college authorities suspended the election at 12:30pm yesterday and shut the college for an indefinite period. The principal ordered students to leave the halls immediately.Local Press Club and Gopalganj Reporters' Forum held separate meetings at noon protesting at the attack on journalists during the clash. The meetings condemned the attack and demanded legal action against the culprits.
Witnesses said the polling began at 8:00am and after an hour supporters of Chhatra League nominated panel beat up leaders and members of its rebel group and drove them out of the polling booths. Supporters of the nominated panel also chased the rebels out of the college premises.
As activists of the rebel group who did not get nomination tried to enter the college around 11:00am, two groups were locked into a clash with sticks, machetes and other locally made weapons. Around 10 persons sustained injuries on the campus and 40 others were injured at different parts of the town as the clash spread out.
Of the injured, five were admitted to Goplaganj Hospital and others were given treatment at private clinics.The workers of the rebel group attacked Ekushey TV Gopalganj correspondent Badal Saha at Public Hall crossing while he was taking snaps. The clash continued until 3:00pm at different parts of the town. Shops remained closed during the clash.
Meanwhile, members of the rebel group distributed a press release among journalists. In the press release, they said the supporters of Chhatra League nominated panel ousted them from the polling booths and were putting seals in favour of their candidate on the ballot papers.
Kotalipara upazila Chhatra League unit barricaded Gopalganj-Kotalipara road from 2:00pm to 3:00pm in protest at the ousting of the students from the college premises. It also held a rally at upazila parishad office in the afternoon.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=143141
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