A Correspondent

At least 50 people were injured in a clash between two factions of Awami League in Patuakhali’s Bauphal upazila on Friday afternoon.

Supporters of upazila Awami League’s president and local lawmaker ASM Feroz and upazila chairman Abdul Motaleb Hawlader locked into the clash at an Awami League marking Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birthday and National Children’s Day.

Upazila chariman Motaleb Hawlader, also the general secretary of upazila Awami League, was hacked by sharp weapons in front of the ruling party lawmaker Feroz. Critically injured Motaleb has been sent to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College in Barishal for advanced treatment.

Bauphal upazila health complex’s physician ASM Sayem said Abdul Motaleb’s three fingers of right hand had been severed. He also sustained injuries in his chest, head, leg and elbow of his right arm. He has been sent to Barishal after primary treatment in Patuakhali.

Sources of Awami League said three factions of the ruling party announced programmes at the same time. The supporters of the MP and upazila chairman called their programmes marking the birthday of Bangabandhu and National Children’s Day at the uapzila Awami League office at Janata Bhaban while another faction led by Bauphal pourashava mayor Md Ziaul Haque Jewel called their programme at another office of AL near Press Club road.

The supporters of three factions started to gather for their respective programmes from 9 in the morning. Mayor Ziaul’s supporters thronged at Bauphal government ground, MP Feroz’s supporters in front of upazila Awami League office and Abdul Motaleb’s supporters at the Bauphal Government Model School ground.