BNP, NCP clash leaves 10 injured in Noakhali

Activists of BNP and NCP clashed over “claiming credit” for the inauguration of a ferry service in Hatiya island, Noakhali on Friday, leaving at least 10 people injured.

Both the political parties have blamed the other for inflicting violence.

Locals said, a large number of activists from both sides gathered at the Nalchira Ghat of Hatiya upazila ahead of the inauguration.

At one point, a heated exchange erupted over which group deserves most credit for inaugurating the service. The argument led to a scuffle and eventually an all-out clash. One group allegedly tried to push out the other from the inauguration site, some witnesses claimed.

NCP Senior Joint Chief Coordinator and Noakhali-6 candidate Abdul Hannan Masud alleged that a group of "officially-listed terrorists” carried out the premeditated attack on 8-10 of his activists, and afterwards "threw them into the river."

Local police had been repeatedly alerted of the group’s influence, and been asked to arrest the criminals, but officers paid no heed, Abdul Hannan Masud alleged.

If the police fail to arrest the attackers within two hours he would lead people to lay a siege at the Hatiya Police Station, he warned. The siege would continue until the perpetrators are detained, he added.

Later, speaking at a convention hall, he also threatened to drop out of the election race if the two-hour deadline remained unmet.

Mahbubur Rahman Shahin, BNP’s candidate in Noakhali-6, denied Hannan’s allegations, saying it was “NCP terrorists” which carried out attacks on BNP men. He demanded swift arrest of the perpetrators.

Hatiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Saiful Alam said he had “heard” about a “scuffle,” but had no knowledge of injuries. Necessary legal measures will be taken after a probe, he noted.