Stick wielding Jatiya Party activists yesterday demonstrate in front of Badarganj Upazila Parishad chairman's house. They damaged three motorbikes at a workshop (inset) adjacent to the house.Photo: STAR

Attack and counter-attack by Jatiya Party and Awami League activists at Badarganj upazila headquarters yesterday left over 30 people injured.
The trouble began when JP activists, wielding sticks, reached in front of the house of Badarganj Upazila Parishad Chairman and local Awami League leader Bishawnath Sarker Bitu at around 1:30pm to protest against 'insult' to JP lawmaker Anisul Islam Mondol by a union parishad chairman in a Test Relief committee's meeting on Saturday. Bitu chaired the meeting.
As Awami League activists swooped on the JP men, they retaliated and at one stage stormed into the chairman's house and damaged furniture and portraits of some national leaders.
At least 30 people from both sides were injured during the attack and counter-attack. The JP men also damaged three motorbikes at a workshop adjacent to the house of the upazila chairman.
Later, AL activist brought out a procession at the upazila headquarters protesting attack on upazila chairman's house and pelted brickbats at the house of a relative of lawmaker Anisul Islam Mondal. They also set fire to a billboard beside the house.
Anisul Islam Mondol, JP lawmaker from Rangpur-2 constituency (Badarganj and Taraganj upazilas), alleged that Bitu's men attacked a JP procession, leaving at least 12 processionists injured.
The lawmaker said he lodged a case with Badarganj Police Station yesterday against Bitu's accomplices who threatened him with death following Saturday's incident at the auditorium of Badarganj upazila complex.
“As I lodged the case against them, they became violent and attacked the JP men in front of Bitu's residence,” the lawmaker said.
Badarganj Upazila Parishad Chairman Bitu alleged that Mondol's men attacked the AL activists and ransacked his house as upazila Test Relief Committee refused to give him rice under the programme at a meeting on Saturday.
The lawmaker refuted the allegation, saying that Upazila Parishad Chairman Bitu is trying to tarnish his image, bringing false allegation against him.