Two people were killed and 50 others, including 10 policemen, injured in a clash between activists of BCL-Jubo League and Hefajat-e-Islam and villagers at Kazirhat under Bhujpur in Fatikchhari upazila on Thursday.
The identities of the deceased could not be known yet.
The local administration imposed Section 144 in the area following the clash.
Witnesses said the activists of Awami League, Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jubo League, led by former upazila chairman ATM Peyarul Islam, brought out a procession in the area around 1:30 pm protesting the countrywide anarchy ‘unleashed by BNP-Jamaat’ and demanding the trial of war criminals.
At one stage, the ruling party activists threw brickbats at a local madrasah controlled by Hefajat-e-Islam Bangladesh.
The madrasah students also responded by pelting them with brick chips. They also announced on mikes that the madrasah was attacked, urging locals to come forward in their help.
Soon, the residents of nearby villages came out of their houses and attacked the activists of Awami League and its student and youth wings at Kazirhat Bazar, triggering a clash.
Later, the clash spilled over into the adjoining areas. Chases and counter-chases took place during the sporadic clashes.
Police lobbed teargas shells and rubber bullets and charged batons on the Hefajat men and villages, leaving at least 50 injured.
The unruly villagers and Hefajat men also torched at least 50 vehicles.
A body was recovered from the Kazirhat Bazar while another from a field near the bazaar after the clash, said Fatikchhari UNO Anjana Khan Majlish.
Twenty-two of the injured, including Payarul and former upazila BCL president Abu Tayeb, were taken to Nazirhat Upazila Health Complex.
Later, the local administration imposed a ban on holding any gathering in the area to fend off further trouble.
Additional police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members were deployed in the area to ensure law and order.
Source: UNB Connect
