Pirojpur Correspondent

Six people from both sides were injured in a clash between two Chhatra Dal groups in Bhandaria, Pirojpur during the 46th foundation anniversary program of the nationalist Chhatra Dal. The incident took place at 11 am on Wednesday at the local Shaheed Minar square.

To avoid clashes, the upazila administration has banned further meetings and gatherings. It is learnt that a procession led by Bhandaria Upazila Chhatra Dal member secretary Shafiq Reza took out from the Upazila Parishad square on the occasion of Chhatra Dal's foundation anniversary.

Later, when the procession reached the road adjacent to Shaheed Minar in Bhandaria Bazar, a section of Chhatra Dal including Upazila Chhatra Dal joint convener Shahiraj and Municipal Chhatra Dal member secretary Shamim Farazi prevented them from going to the meeting stage organized on the banks of the Reserve Pond.

During this time, a clash broke out between the two groups, both groups got involved in a clash with pipes, sticks and Chinese axes. During this time, District Chhatra Dal Vice President Mahatab Hossain Sajib (38), Md. Baki Bepari (35), Sujan Bepari (31), Nabin Farazi (18), Lokman Sardar (38) and Mizan Hawlader (38) of the other group were injured. The injured Mizan Hawlader has been admitted to Barisal Shebachim Hospital and the rest of the injured have been admitted to the Upazila Health Complex.

The injured Mahatab Hossain Sajib said that Shahiraj and Shamim group attacked our peaceful procession. Upazila BNP member secretary Md. Monir Hossain Akon and municipal BNP member secretary Masud Rana Palash said that preparations have been made for the celebration of Chhatra Dal's founding anniversary program for the last 10 days and a prayer and discussion meeting was organized on the banks of the Reserve Pond on Wednesday afternoon. Upazila Chhatra Dal joint convener Shahiraj and Upazila Jubo Dal expelled member secretary Shamim Hawlader prepared to hold separate programs. For this reason, separate times were also set for the programs of the two groups. The matter was also informed to the police station.

In the morning, when Chhatra Dal, led by Chhatra Dal member secretary Shafiq Reza, entered the market with their scheduled procession, Chhatra Dal and a group of Juba Dal leaders and activists led by Chhatra Dal joint convener Shahiraj and Upazila Jubo Dal expelled member secretary Shamim Hawlader carried out the attack.

Upazila Jubo Member Secretary (expelled) Md. Shamim Hawlader said that this program was of Chhatra Dal and not of Juba Dal. Jubo Dal leaders including me only tried to stop the clash. I am not involved in this attack.

A team of police station police including Bhandaria Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ahmed Anwar were present at the scene. Under his leadership, the police brought the situation under control. Police stopped the afternoon meeting.

Additional Superintendent of Police Mukit Hasan (Crime and Operation) Md. Sakhawat Hossain (Mathbaria Circle) Bhandaria Upazila Executive Officer Yasin Arafat Rana inspected the scene and banned the meeting. Additional police were deployed at the scene.