At least five people were injured as rival groups of politically-backed speedboat owners and drivers clashed over taking control of an unauthorised ghat (landing place) in the Barisal port area on Tuesday afternoon.
Police rushed to the scene to control the situation, and detained two people for questioning, said Sub-inspector Golam Kabir of Kotwali police station. Witnesses claimed that opposition BNP-backed speedboat owners and drivers, led by Kamruzzaman, attacked their rivals supported by the ruling Awami League.
The AL-backed faction, led by Kalam Sharif of Sramik League, alleged that Kamruzzaman came to the ghat on Tuesday and demanded to take charge.
“BNP activists attacked us when we protested and refused to follow their order,” Kalam claimed.
However, Kamruzzaman denied the allegation, and blamed AL activists for the violence. “They attacked and beat us when we went to the ghat to question them about uttering bad words against local BNP lawmaker Mojibor Rahman Sarwar,” Kamruzzaman said.
Five of the injured, including Kamruzzaman, were admitted to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.
Shakhawat Hossain, in charge of Kotwali police station, said no case was lodged as both sides were trying to reach a compromise. In the meantime, they have been asked to stop plying their speedboats until further order, he added.
Md Shahidullah, deputy director of BIWTA at Barisal port, said speedboats operating from Barisal to destinations in Bhola, Hizla and Mehendiganj forcibly occupied the port area to anchor and ferry passengers without any permission or legal route permit.
