The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

At least 15 persons, including four women and two Ansarmen, were injured during clashes between two groups of employees, supporters of two feuding brothers, over the control of a bulb factory in the city's Islampur under Kotwali thana. Police also resorted to baton charge and lobbed teargas shells to bring the situation under control. They also detained one of the employees.

Among those hospitalised with injuries were identified as Khaleda Khanam, Ranu Akhter, Khorsheda, Khuku Moni, Yunus, Saidul and Ansar members Moiez and Firoz. The arrested employee was identified as Julfiker Ali.

Police said the clashes ensued at about 3:00 pm when younger brother Haji Mohammad Iqbal Hossain went to takeover the control of Camey Bulb Factory located at 6/1, Ali Neki Dewri in Islampur. The factory was under the control of his elder brother Jalal Ahmed.

Witnesses said, as Haji Iqbal, along with at least 20 hired goons, entered the factory, the employees resisted them leading to clashes that left at least 15 persons injured.

Police charged batons and lobbed teargas shells to bring the situation under control, a policeman was also injured at that time.

Inspector Mizanur Rahman of Kotwali thana who was on the spot told The New Nation, "The clashes followed the feud of the two brothers over the control of the factory." The situation was under control, police said.

Kotwali police said no case was filed till the filing of the report at 9:00pm.

Meanwhile, police yesterday arrested a bullet-wounded young man with a pistol from the Ramna Park area. He was identified as Mohammad Russel, son of Haider Ali of Nilphamari district.

Police said they chased Russel hearing sound of gunshots near a small makeshift shop beside Shahbagh police control room at about 9:00 am.

As Russel tried to flee scaling the boundary wall of Shishu Park, two bullets automatically fired from his pistol kept inside his jacket and injured him, police said.

He fell down from the wall and police caught him with the pistol and 6 bullets. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Talking to reporters at DMCH, Russel claimed that he is a fish trader. Terrorists swooped on him and fled from the scene after shooting at him.