20 hurt in Kushtia AL factional clash

KUSHTIA, Aug 29 (UNB): At least twenty people sustained injuries in a clash between two factions of the ruling Awami League (AL) in Goswami Durgapur union of Kushtia Sadar upazila on Sunday.
Of the injured, ten were admitted to the Kushtia General Hospital, said An Noor Zayed, officer-in-charge (OC) of Islami University thana.
Critically injured Habibur Rahman Jhentu, joint general secretary of the union unit of Awami League, was referred to Rajshahi Medical Hospital for better treatment.
The incident took place at a rally in Goswami Durgapur on Sunday afternoon, marking the month of mourning organised by the union Awami League.
Locals said Laltu Rahman, chairman of Goswami Durgapur union and joint secretary of Sadar upazila Jubo League, and Dabir Uddin, former chairman and general secretary of the union Awami League, had long been at loggerheads in the area.
During the rally, the followers of Laltu suddenly attacked the supporters of Dabir Uddin.
Later it turned violent when the supporters of Dabir chased them with lethal weapons, leaving 20 people injured.
Laltu Rahman, the incumbent chairman, however, denied the allegation and claimed Dabir's followers attacked his men.