While welcoming the budget in Chittagong’s Anwara, there was a clash between the followers of State Minister for Finance Wasika Ayesha Khan and former Lands Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury. This incident took place in Bandar Center area of the upazila at 4:30 pm on Friday. Five people from both sides were claimed injured in the hour-long clash. The police fired teargas shells and blank bullets to bring the situation under control.
According to the party sources, the two parties of Awami League announced the program of separate processions based on the budget announcement. In the afternoon, the leaders and workers of both sides started gathering. After three o’clock they took position on both sides of the road. At that time, when they chanted slogans, the tension increased. At one point, the two sides clashed and then clashed.
During the clash, the police resorted to baton charge to disperse the two sides. At that time, the leaders and activists including followers of former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury and president of Anwara Upazila Awami League MA Mannan entered a nearby business establishment. After the incident, traffic on CUFL road was stopped. At that time, the traders closed the shop.
Saifuzzaman Chowdhury’s follower and general secretary of Anwara Upazila Awami League Jasim Uddin Chowdhury claimed that Anwara Upazila Awami League president MA Mannan Chowdhury, former chairman of Barumchara Union Parishad Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury, Chatri Union Awami League vice president Taj Uddin and himself were injured.
Jasim Uddin Chowdhury said, “Even though we organized the program with the permission of the administration, the people of the opposite party made this incident.”
Kazi Mozammel Haque, a follower of Finance Minister Wasika Ayesha Khan, said, ‘We announced the program yesterday. They called this program to study our program today. Jubo League leader Tipu was injured in this incident. This incident took place at the instigation of the OC of Karnaphuli police station.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Karnaphuli Police Station. Zahir Hossain said that the two parties organized a procession on the budget. Later they were dispersed when they clashed.
If asked to know, Anwara Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md. Ishtiaq Emon said that the two sides were asked to march before and after. But they gather together.