At least 20 people were injured, including two journalists in a clash-- which broke out among hundreds of activists of two factions of district Awami League (AL)-- in Jamalpur municipality on Saturday evening.
The clash spurred, when followers of Moazzem Hossain, organisational secretary of ward-08 AL, caught on a dispute with followers of Helal Uddin, member of district AL unit and councillor of ward-08, locals and witnesses say.
The locals and followers of Moazzem claimed, Helal had long been hoarding the reliefs, distributing only among his relatives and made a faulty relief list excluding the underprivileged people intentionally.
Two journalists --Abul Kalam Azad, and Al Amin, cameramen of Somoy TV and Independent TV respectively-- went to cover the incident and were beaten up and critically injured allegedly by the son and followers of Helal.
Afterwards, police had to open fire to take the situation under control and took the journalists to Jamalpur General Hospital.
Injured in the incident, Moazzem Hossain, held the ward councillor, Helal responsible and said: “Helal and his group took bribes from the poor people of the area to secure reliefs for them. Yet, they are suffering in hunger while he is distributing reliefs to his wealthy relatives.”
“Whenever any of us raise voice against his corruption, he uses his influence to beat us up.”
Denying all allegations, Ward Councillor Helal said he is not aware of any incident and claimed the reliefs are properly distributed among the needy people.
Confirming the incident, Sadar Police OC Md Sakemuzzaman said: “Three separate cases have been filed and legal actions will be taken against the responsible perpetrators.”
