Over 50 injured in clashes between rival political parties on V-Day

Dhaka, Dec 16 (UNI) More than 50 people were injured in clashes between supporters of rival political parties in different districts of Bangladesh over the celebration of Victory Day today.

The supporters of opposition Awami League and former ruling BNP- Jamaat over celebrating Victory Day in Moulvibazar, Pabna, Mymensingh and Chittagong districts.

In southeastern Chittagong, BNP and Awami League activists fought a fierce battle over placing wreaths at Shaheed Minar (mausoleum) early today, leaving 12 people injured on both sides.

In eastern Moulvibazar district, 20 people, including two leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir, were injured in a clash between Jamaat and Awami League activists at Barolekha sub-district.

Witnesses said the clash broke out when processions of the two rival parties, brought out on the occasion of the Victory Day, came face to face.

In northern Pabna town, at least ten people were injured in a clash between Awami League and Jamaat workers. Witnesses said the clash erupted when Awami League processionists damaged a victory podium erected by Jamaat that had opposed the liberation war in 1971.

In northern Mymensingh, a fight between the activists of pro-Awami League student front and Islami Chhatra Shibir left ten people wounded over observing Victory Day on the campus of Bangladesh Agriculture University.

Police said the clash took place when a joint procession of pro-BNP student wing and Islami Chhatra Shibir confronted with Awami League. The Awami League activists set fire to more than 20 rooms of their rivals in their residential halls.

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