Five people, including three BCL activists, were killed and 47 others injured as Awami League men clashed with BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami activists at Ramganj in Sadar upazila on Saturday.
The deceased were identified as Farhad, 22, a Shibir activist, Khorshed Chowdhury, organising secretary of Ramganj union unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), and three Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists — Zakaria Manik, 24, Murad, 22, and Lebu Mia, 28.
Police and witnesses said the clash broke out around 11:45am when BNP and Jamaat-Shibir men obstructed the car carrying Asaduzzaman Noor on his way to Kanaikata to join a rally. A Nilphamari unit leader of Jamaat told BBC that the clash broke out after AL workers set fire to the home of BNP secretary of the locality. Villagers attacked the AL workers allegedly carrying weapons were returning from the area taking a different route. A number of motor vehicles and bikes were set ablaze.
The unruly BNP and Jamaat-Shibir activists also hurled brick chips targeting the MP’s car.
Supporters of Noor resisted the Jamaat–Shibir men, triggering the clash that left 52 people, including Farhad, Khorshed, Manik, Murad and Lebu injured.
Farhad and Khorshed succumbed to their injuries on the way to hospital, said police super of the district Zobaidur Rahman.
Manik, Murad and Lebu were rushed to Rangpur Medical College Hospital where doctors declared them dead.
On information, police rushed in and brought the situation under control by firing rubber bullets and teargas shells, and rescued Asaduzzaman Noor. – UNB
