1 shot dead in AL-BNP clashes

A man was shot dead as the ctivists of Awami League and BNP clashed with firearms in Noakhali on Friday. At least 10 other people were injured in the several-hour-long clashes. The victim, 42-year-old ‘Zaber’, was not affiliated with either of the parties, locals said. Witnesses say clashes erupted around noon after activists of BNP’s student front beat up a member of the ruling party’s student affiliate in Sonaimurhi’s Amishaparha. AL activists later locked horn with BNP supporters and its affiliates. Locals said the two groups clashed with sharp weapons and used firearms. Zaber, a tri-cycle puller, was caught in the middle and shot. Police said he died while being rushed to the hospital. Sonaimurhi police OC Abdus Samad said additional policemen had been deployed in the area to prevent any escalation of violence. No one has been reportedly arrested so far in connection with the incident, according to bdnews24.com.