Moudud, Quader’s supporters clash in Noakhali over campaign rally

Supporters of the Awami League and the BNP candidates have clashed at Kabirhat Upazila in Noakhali over simultaneous campaign rally at the same place.

Both sides claimed many of their supporters were injured and blamed each other for the clashes that took place at Zero Point around 11am on Tuesday.

The supporters of Awami League candidate for Noakhali-5, the party’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader, and the BNP nominee, Moudud Ahmed, went to the area in processions for the rally.

A running battle erupted when both sides reached the area.

Kabirhat Police Station OC Mirza Hasan told bdnews24.com the law enforcers went to the area on hearing about the clashes but the situation had already calmed by the time.

Two local activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the ruling party’s student wing, were admitted to Kabirhat Upazila Health Complex with injuries they had sustained in the violence, the OC said.

Moudud alleged local leaders and activists of BCL and Jubo League, the ruling party’s youth front, attacked a procession of his supporters.

Over 50 of his supporters were injured in the alleged attack, he claimed. 

Kabirhat Upazila AL President Nurul Amin Rumi denied the allegation. 

A group of BNP supporters vandalised a shop and beat up its owner Md Ismail, a local leader of the Jubo League, Rumi alleged.

He also said the BNP supporters launched another attack on the ruling party activists who rushed to the area on hearing about the incident.

At least 20 activists of the Awami League and its affiliates were injured, he claimed.

Quader could not be reached for comment immediately.