20 hurt in AL factional clash in Jhenaidah

Twenty people were injured in a clash between two rival groups of the Awami League (AL) supporters on Saturday in Kashinathpur village in Jhenaidah's Shailkupa upazila, police said on Sunday.

Four of them were admitted to Faridpur and Kushtia Medical College Hospitals as they were injured seriously, said Md Masnum Khan, officer-in-charge of Shailkupa Police Station.

Other injured patients, who were taken to Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex, fled the hospital for unknown reasons, said the OC.

Locals said that a clash broke out around 7:30pm between supporters of two AL activists -- Naib Ali Joardar and Matiar Rahman, former chairman of Dhalharchandra union.

Both groups carrying sharp weapons clashed on a bridge at Kashinathpur when they failed to reach an agreement during discussions over the withdrawal of two cases filed against some local AL men for murder and rape.

At least 20 people from both groups were injured during the clash, OC Masnum said.

On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, the OC added.