Law minister's visit marred by clash in Akhaura, 5 injured

At least five along with Upazila Parishad chairman and Upazila Chhatra League general secretary were injured in a clash between two factions of Awami League while welcoming the Law Minister Anisul Huq in Akhaura of Brahmanbaria on Friday. 

The incident occurred in the Akhaura Road Bazaar area around 11am.

Following the incident, panic spread throughout the area.

The injured leaders and activists said that after the Upazila Parishad elections, Law Minister Advocate Anisul Huq came to his electoral area in Akhaura. 

To welcome the minister, newly elected Upazila Parishad Chairman Monir Hossain, along with a large number of activists and supporters, took position at the Akhaura Railway Station area. 

At that time, a group of people led by Akhaura Municipal Mayor Takzil Khalifa Kajal, the defeated Upazila chairman candidate Md Murad Hossain, and the President of the Upazila Chhatra League and newly elected Vice Chairman of the Upazila Parishad Shahabuddin Beg Shaplu launched a sudden attack on Upazila Parishad Chairman Monir Hossain and Upazila Chhatra League General Secretary Shakawat Hossain Noyon.

Later, party activists created a barricade and took the Upazila Parishad Chairman Monir Hossain and Chhatra League General Secretary Noyon to a safe place. 

During this time, tension spread in the Railway Station and Road Bazaar areas. 

The injured party leaders and activists, including the Chairman of the Upazila Parishad and the General Secretary of the Chhatra League, blamed Akhaura Municipal Mayor Takzil Khalifa Kajal and his supporters for the attack.

Chairman Monir Hossain said: "To take revenge for the defeat in the Upazila elections, Mayor Takzil, and his supporters planned this attack. We demand justice from the law minister for this incident."

However, denying the allegations, Akhaura Municipal Mayor Takzil Khalifa Kajal said: "I heard that there was an altercation between the defeated chairman candidate Murad Hossain and the victorious Chairman Monir Hossain at the Akhaura Upazila Parishad. However, I think Chairman Monir Hossain may have done this to question the minister's visit."

Regarding the incident, Brahmanbaria Superintendent of Police (SP) Mohammad Shakhawat Hossain said the police tried to control the situation immediately, which prevented any major incident. The police are vigilant about any untoward incidents.

Meanwhile, when the law minister's attention was drawn to the clash among party activists, he said that he would discuss with both parties to resolve the matter.