Online Report
At least 30 people, including 6 journalists were injured in a clash between followers of Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and BNP activists at Muradnagar upazila in Cumilla district on Wednesday afternoon.
According to police and local sources, a protest procession was organised to condemn a news report aired on a private TV channel against Adviser Asif Mahmud. On the same day, the Upazila Chhatra Dal organised a protest procession against false cases and arrests of BNP activists.
After the procession, Asif’s followers began a protest rally at Allah Chattar in the Upazila Sadar. At this time, BNP activists were positioned near the BNP office, not far from the rally site.
Tensions escalated when several bricks and stones were thrown towards the rally from a nearby Zila Parishad market. This triggered a counter-chase between the two sides.
Workers from both factions were seen attacking each other with sticks. During the incident, at least 30 people, including 6 journalists who were on duty, were injured. Later, police brought the situation under control.
Following the attack, a visit to Muradnagar Upazila Health Complex revealed that 6 people were being treated in the emergency department. The remaining injured individuals received treatment at various local and Cumilla district hospitals.
Minajul Haque, convener of Nagarik Samaj who led the procession and supervisor of Upazila NCP, said that their protest march against the conspiracy and propaganda against Adviser Asif Mahmud was peaceful.
However, BNP individuals launched a sudden attack, chasing us by throwing bricks and stones like rain, for which we have videos. During this, about fifty of our supporters were injured, he added.
However, rejecting the allegations, Upazila BNP Joint Convener Kamal Uddin said that we had prepared for a procession under the banner of Chhatra Dal. But NCP brought Awami League and Chhatra League activists and attacked our workers in front of the Muradnagar Upazila BNP office. As a result, 10 to 15 BNP activists were injured.
He further added that this is a tactic to file cases against BNP activists with the help of the police.
Muradnagar Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Amin Kader Khan said that police brought the situation under control. Some people were injured.
No party has filed a case yet. Additional police forces have been deployed in the main areas of the upazila, the OC added.