Activists of the BNP-led 18-party alliance torched the podium of the election rally of a former state minister and over 50 vehicles during a clash with BCL men in Patgram upazila on Thursday evening. Witnesses said Awami League candidate from Lalmonirhat-1 (Hatibandha-Patgram) constituency Motahar Hossain, also former state minister for Primary and Mass Education, arranged his election rally at Baura High School ground in the afternoon. Activists of Bangladesh Chhtra League (BCL) brought a procession with over 50 motorcycles in the area in the build-up to the rally. Meanwhile, the activists of BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir chased the BCL men, triggering a clash. A chase and counter-chase took place during the melee that left 30 people injured from the both sides. During the clash, the opposition men set fire to the podium of the election rally, over 50 motorbikes and two pickups. They also set alight two rooms of the school. Later, the unruly activists of the 18-party alliance blocked the road by felling roadside trees whereby police and members of Border Guard Bangladesh could not reach the spot. Police super of Lalmonirhat Habibur Rahman said the law enforcers were trying to reach the spot removing the blockade. – UNB
