At least 12 people, including two journalists and one policeman, were injured in a clash between two groups of workers from Lalmonirhat bus-minibus, coach, and microbus workers' union on Sunday.
The confrontation took place at the district's central bus terminal, resulting in at least 12 people being injured, including two journalists and one police officer.
According to locals, the two groups were divided over the leadership of the workers' union. One faction, led by Omar Faruk Bablu, president of local Jatiotabadi Sramik Dal unit, demanded the continuation of the union's old registration number (2493) and opposed the process of obtaining a new registration for the union through external and dual workers, which they claimed violated labor laws. The other faction, led by Mahfujar and Bakul, supported the ongoing process of acquiring a new registration.
According to Bablu, claimed that Mahfujar, Bakul, and other workers, along with some allies of the then ruling party, were violating labor laws by allowing external workers and dual workers to register for the union. To protest against this, Bablu and his supporters organized a peaceful rally and human chain at the central bus terminal.
When their procession reached the terminal, the rival faction, who were already stationed there, allegedly threw bricks and stones at the protesters. Several members of Bablu's group were injured in the attack. The police intervened to control the situation.
However, the rival faction denied throwing stones and claimed that it was the Bablu-led group that started the violence by throwing stones at the workers at the bus terminal. They also mentioned that they were discussing the union's registration process when the incident occurred.
Journalist SR Shariful Islam Ratan, who was covering the clash, along with Zinnatul Islam Zinna from Daily Bangladesh, reported being attacked while filming the incident. Ratan confirmed that they are preparing to take legal action based on the video footage of the attack on journalists.
Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station officer-in-charge Abdul Kader confirmed the incident, stating that one police officer, and two journalists injured. The situation is now under control, with additional police deployed to prevent further disturbances in the area.
