Ivy, supporters under attack

Narayanganj's Chashara has turned into a battlefield as supporters of Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy and AKM Shamim Osman MP were fighting over the eviction of hawkers from pavements, report agencies.

At one stage of the running battle, Ivy's supporters formed a human shield to save her from the raining brickbats thrown by Shamim's followers on Tuesday afternoon.

Over 100 people, mostly members of the ruling Awami League's affiliates, were injured in the clashes.

The injured also included seven policemen and five journalists.

Tension was still running high in the city Tuesday evening after police dispersed the two sides by firing into the air and lobbing teargas shells.

Mayor Ivy blamed Shamim for the 'attack' while Shamim claimed there were 'instigations' behind the 'turmoil' over the hawkers being on pavements. Police said Ivy along with the NCC officials and locals was heading towards Chashara intersection around 4:45 pm to evict makeshift shops erected on the footpath along the Bangabandhu Road.

When they reached Sayem Plaza, hawkers, who occupied the footpath of the area in the afternoon, started hurling brick chips towards Ivy and her followers.

In retaliation, Ivy's supporters also started throwing brickbats back. Later, both the groups locked into a fierce clash when gunshots were also exchanged, said witnesses.

Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the gathering, said superintendent of police of the district Mainul Haque.