At least 15 people including three policemen were injured during clashes between supporters of Awami League presidium member and Madaripur-2 MP Shajahan Khan and the district Awami League president Shahabuddin Ahmed Molla on Saturday.
The clashes broke out at Kolabari and Ghatakchar areas of Sadar upazila at 10:00am and continued for three hours. Two banks, at least 10 motor bikes, several shops and houses were vandalised during the clashes.
Vehicular movement on Dhaka-Barishal highway was halted for around half an hour due to the clashes.
Locals said, district AL president Shahabuddin Molla at a recent programme raised questions about Shajahan Khan’s father Asmat Ali’s role during the liberation war. Asmat was an organiser of the liberation war. Shahabuddin also alleged that Shajahan is patronising BNP activists.
Shajahan’s supporters have been organising protest programmes in response to the remarks for a week.
The clashes broke out today as both factions organised programmes at the same place. Police used batons to disperse them but the supporters of the two factions clashed again and again.
Shajahan Khan’s supporters vandalised branches of Krishi Bank and Islami Bank, a beauty parlour and a hotel at Sardar Market near Ghatakchar bus stand.
The market’s owner and Kendua AL’s president Sohrab Hossain Sarder alleged that district Jubo League’s general secretary Rubel Khan, MP’s son Asibur Rahman Khan and Kendua union BNP Joynal Matubbar led the vandalism.
He said he will file a case against the attackers after seeing the CCTV footage.
Asked about the incident, Shajahan Khan told Prothom Alo, “What the district Awami League president has said about my father is insulting. I will continue protesting such remarks along with the people of my area and freedom fighters.”
He claimed Sohrab Sardar led the attack on a human chain programme and his son and nephews just resisted.
Superintendent of Madaripur police Golam Mostafa Rasel told Prothom Alo that they are taking action evaluating the CCTV footage.
He said three policemen were injured at the incident adding that no one is arrested yet.
No complaint has been lodged so far, Mostafa added.