5,000 sued over Fatikchhari clash

CHITTAGONG, Apr 12 (UNB): A case has been filed against some 5,000 people in connection with Thursday's triangular clash at Kazirhat in Fatikchhari upazila that left three people dead. Sub-inspector Nurunnabi of Bhujpur Police Station filed the case on Thursday night against 100 named and 4,900 unnamed people. Meanwhile, the Section 144 imposed in the area following the clash still remained in force. Besides, police and members of Rapid Action Battalion and Border Guard Bangladesh were kept deployed in the area to fend off any untoward incident. Three people were killed and about 120 others, including cops, injured in the clash involving activists of Awami League (AL) and Jamaat-Shibir-Hefajat and villagers at Kazirhat in upazila on Thursday afternoon. Over 100 motorcycles, four mini trucks, three private cars, a fire service vehicle and a microbus were also torched during the clash. Our Chittagong Correspondent adds: Some 34 persons including a UP chairman have been arrested following Thursday's clashes. Shafiul Alam Nuri, chairman of Bhujpur union parishad was arrested from the village on Friday morning. He is president of Jamaat's Bhujpur union chapter. Police also arrested 33 Jamaat and Hefazat men during the morning raids in the area. Those killed in the clashes have been identified as Jamal Uddin (30), an activist of Chhatra League of Nanupur union, Md Lokman (32) of Sundarpur Juba League and Faruk Iqbal Bipul (34), president of Shechchha Sebok League of Baktapur union. Bipul succumbed to his injuries in Chittagong Medical College Hospital while others died on the spot. General Secretary of Chittagong north district unit of AL, also chairman of Chittagong jilla parishad said all those killed are their union level leaders. Three to four workers are still missing, he added. Fatikchhari UNO Chandana Khan Mojlish said the situation was still tense. That is why administration did not lift Section 144.