Video footages to identify gun-toting people in N’ganj clashes: Home minister

The authorities are using video footages to identify those who wielded guns during the clashes between the supporters of Narayanganj Awami League leaders Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy and AKM Shamim Osman MP.

“We are doing whatever necessary. Video footages are being used to identify the gunmen,” Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told reporters after a programme in Dhaka on Thursday.  

“We can assure you that no one will be spared. Anyone disobeying the law must face action,” he added.

Reporters threw questions at the minister over the clashes after he attended a programme to mark the development of the Central Drug Addiction Treatment Centre in Tejgaon.

Niazul wielding a pistol during the clashes

Kamal said they were also investigating who were involved in the clashes and how it started.

“I’ve personally spoken to the public representatives and told them that the prime minister does not like such activities. I’ve warned them of possible action if they do not stop these acts,” he said.

Narayanganj district administration has formed a committee to investigate the clashes over eviction of hawkers from pavements.

LGRD Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain said on Wednesday he thought the clashes took place due to the bad blood between Ivy and Shamim.

The Awami League has also summoned the duo to the capital to give their explanations about the incident.

The clashes erupted on Tuesday when Ivy and her supporters went to Chashara after Shamim said he would put the hawkers back on the pavements.

Ivy said Shamim wanted her killed and sent one of his henchmen with gun to carry out the mission during the clashes while the MP said his man was not a goon and acted only in self-defence.

Shamim also alleged one of Ivy’s supporters was seen carrying a gun during the clashes.

Ivy and Shamim inherit the dispute between the two families, which dates back decades.

The dispute reached its peak when both of them ran for city mayor in 2011.

Shamim announced his support for Ivy on orders from Hasina during the last polls to the city corporation in 2016.

The duo, however, have continued attacking each other on several occasions.