Two activists of the ruling Awami League and its youth front Jubo League, who suffered gunshot wounds in firing by the village defence party or Ansar last Wednesday in Barishal have lost their eyesight.
The two activists were identified as Monirul Islam Monir, president of Ward 23(Barishal city) Awami League unit, and Tanvir, a Jubo League activist.
Shafiquzzaman Rubel, the Mayor of Muladi Municipality of Barishal disclosed the matter to the press on Saturday.
They are currently undergoing treatment in Dhaka, he added.
Some 21 people have been arrested in connection with the cases filed over the attack at the residence of the Barishal Sadar UNO till Saturday noon, said police.
Nurul Islam, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station, said “So far police have arrested 21 people in connection with the attack on the residence of the UNO and 13 of them were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday while the rest on Saturday from different parts of the city.”
The clash broke out on Wednesday between the supporters of the AL, BCL and members of Ansar when the former tried to attack the residence of the UNO at Sadar Upazila Complex in Barishal Wednesday night.
Five people suffered bullet wounds during the clash.
According to witnesses, the city corporation staff went to the residence of UNO Munibur to lower a banner hanging over the area.
At one stage, the UNO came out and enquired about the matter, leading to a verbal altercation between him and Swapan Kumar Das, a city corporation staffer.
During this time, some 25-30 people entered the complex, and a scuffle broke out between Ansar and the mob, triggering a clash. At one stage, the Ansar members opened fire on them.
On information, police rushed to the spot and charged batons to disperse the mob.
Some 25 people were injured in the clashes with the police and Ansar.
Two separate cases were filed in this connection.
Barishal city corporation mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah has been made the primary accused in both cases.
