BCL, PCP clash leaves eight injured in Rangamati town

At least eight people were injured in a clash between the activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) at Rangamati Government College in Rangamati district town yesterday afternoon over bringing out processions.

At least five shops were vandalised and two motorbikes torched in the college area during the incident.

The injured include Md Arafath, 13, a Class IX student of Rangamati Government High School, and Apu Talukdar, 35, a pedestrian.

Critically injured Arafath was admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital while Apu to Rangamati Sadar Hospital.

Bachchu Chakma, central leader of PCP backed by Parbatya Chattagram Janasanghati Samity (PCJSS, Shantu Larma faction), alleged that when they brought out a procession in the college area after finishing their regular party programme, the BCL men suddenly attacked their activists.

Contacted, Abdul Jabbar Sujan, president of Rangamati district unit of BCL, said PCP college unit students first attacked their activist Arnob Tripura alias Sourav when BCL college unit wanted to take out a procession.

The PCP men also vandalised some shops and torched two motorcycles in the college area, he alleged.

On information, police and army personnel rushed to the spot and fired 21 bullets and teargas shells to bring the situation under control, said Superintendent of Police Sayeed Tarikul Hasan.