Two factions of the ruling Awami League in Cumilla chased each other on the occasion of National Mourning Day at Muradnagar Upazila. One was reportedly stabbed in the incident.
Tension was brimming between the supporters of Independent MP Yussuf Abdullah Harun and Cumilla North Awami League General Secretary Jahangir Alam, regarding the arrangement of mourning rally.
Early on Wednesday, supporters of both the groups started to gather separately. Later at around 9:30am, a procession led by Jahangir Alam started from the party office. AL supporters and leaders in the procession became infuriated when police reportedly stopped them. However, they went on with their procession throughout the town.
Another procession led by local MP Harun was taken out at 10am that started from Upazila Council offices, organized by the local administration.
Later at a discussion meeting leaders of both the groups scuffled over seating arrangements on stage. The programme was stopped for about 30 minutes. A clash broke out, when one Iqbal was reportedly stabbed.
Police later intervened and normalcy returned.
Muradnagar police station’s spokesperson Nahidul Alam said, a procession arranged by the Upazila administration was supposed to be held at 10am. No one informed us about other processions.
The Awami League was requested to start the procession after 10am, he added.