Dhaka – Some 20 people were injured in a clash between the supporters of two ruling party MPs in the city’s Mirpur area on Sunday, unb news agency reported.
Among the injured, 14 were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Witnesses said Awami League lawmaker Sabina Ahkter Tuhin along with her supporters were bringing out an anti-hartal procession at Mirpur-1 bus stand area when supporters of local Awami League lawmaker Aslamul Haq were crossing the area riding 10-12 motorcycles at around 11:30 am.Jamaat-e-Islami announced the countrywide 24-hour hartal from 6:00 am on Sunday protesting the Supreme Court order upholding the death penalty of its ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami.
As the motorcyclists were honking their horns loudly, supporters of Tuhin protested it. At one stage supporters of Aslam left the area leaving their motorcycles parked beside the street.
Around half-an-hour later they returned along with more people and allegedly swooped on the followers of Tuhin, who were positioned in front of Mukta Bangla shopping complex.
At one stage, the two rival groups locked into a clash and also fired gunshots. Additional police went to the spot and brought the situation under control firing several gunshots.
The two groups exchanged gunshots during the clash, leaving several injured with bullets, said Mahbubur Rahman, assistant commissioner of DMP (Mirpur Zone).
The two groups are said to be rivals over forming local Awami League committees, Mahbubur Rahman said.
Fourteen injured people were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, sources at the hospital said.
