The ongoing differences between two factions of the ruling party, one led by Aataul Haqu and the other led by Farid Khan, took an ugly turn at Paschimpara gram panchayat in Goghat on Tuesday, when Haqu and his men attacked Khan and his men at their residences.
The armed men of Haqu damaged three houses and thrashed Khan, panchayat samity member Teharul Mollah, Afsar Ali Khan, Farida Bibi and four others. The seriously injured victims were rushed to Kamarpukur block gramin hospital.
The attackers, however, fled the scene when a large police force rushed to the spot.
Following this, the panic-stricken people of the area kept their shops closed.
Party sources said Khan was selected for the post of upapradhan by the district leaders, but defying the party directive, Haqu conducted a ‘forced voting’ and replaced Khan with their chosen person. The district leaders issued a strict directive to promptly bring back Khan as the upapradhan, but Haqu and his men opposed this. Tuesday’s incident was an extension of their differences to assert their political supremacy over each other.
Haqu, however, denied the allegations. Police complaints have been lodged from both sides.
Mr Manas Majumdar, Goghat MLA, said: “I condemn the clash between the two factions in which some of them were injured today (Tuesday).”
“The party’s senior leaders will take disciplinary steps against the workers who are defying the directives and trying to create unrest in the area for their mean political gains.”