Time Digital News: A clash between two groups of the ruling Awami League at a felicitation ceremony of Shamsul Haque Tuku, the lawmaker of Pabna-1 constituency, on his appointment as deputy speaker of Jatiya Sangsad, leaving at least 15 activists injured.

There was a chase, counter-chase while throwing chairs at each other.

At least 15 activists were injured during the clash. Later, the situation was brought under control as the members of law enforcement agencies charged baton on them.

The incident took place on Saturday afternoon at Rafiqul Islam Bakul freedom square in Pabna town during the reception ceremony organised by the Pabna district Awami League.

The former office secretary of the district Awami League, lawyer Abdul Ahad Babu conducted the reception ceremony.

But a few minutes before the speech of the newly appointed deputy speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku at about 2:00pm, a scuffle started between two groups of the AL. At one point, it turned into a clash. Both sides were throwing chairs at each other. Meanwhile, some leaders intervened to calm down. But a few minutes later, the clash started again between the two groups.

Sadar upazila Awami League president and upazila chair Mosharraf Hossain along with some leaders tried to stop them. They warned both groups to remain calm. Ignoring their prohibition, the two groups once again locked into a clash throwing chairs and chasing each other.

At one point, Detective Branch and the station police brought the situation under control by charging baton. During the time, some activists were detained by the law enforcement agencies.

Pabna sadar upazila AL president and upazila chair Mosharraf Hossain told that the matter was nothing like that, there were some troubles over seating arrangement as many were standing on the stage chanting slogans.

General secretary of Pabna district AL Golam Faruqe Prince said that the incident happened just due to misunderstanding among themselves and the seniors brought the situation under control immediately.

Aminul Islam, officer-in-charge of Pabna police station, said that there was a trouble between the two groups over standing on the stage.

Later, the leaders removed them from there, he added.

On August 28, lawyer Shamsul Haque Tuku, also a former state minister, took oath as the new deputy speaker.

SK