The general secretary of Bagha upazila unit of the ruling Awami League, Ashraful Islam Babul, who received head injuries during a clash between two factions of the ruling AL at Bagha upazila in Rajshahi on Saturday succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday afternoon.
Babul, a supporter of ruling AL lawmaker from Rajshahi-6 constituency Md Shahriar Alam, was pronounced dead at 4:30pm while undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, confirmed the RMCH Intensive Care Unit in-charge Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, who added that Babul received a severe head injury.
鈥楬e underwent surgery at the RHCH and was shifted to the ICU. However, his head got infected and, therefore, it was not possible to save him,鈥� said Mostafa Kamal.
AL leaders and activists used crude bombs, machetes, iron pipes and others during the clash on Saturday.
At least 50 activists were injured and 18 were admitted to Bagha Upazila Health Complex.
Babul and Arani union parishad chairman Rafiqul Islam were referred to the RMCH for better treatment.
Shahinur Rahman, joint general secretary of Bagha upazila Juba League and a follower of lawmaker Md Shahriar Alam filed a case with the Bagha police station against 46 named and 200-300 unnamed persons on Sunday noon.
Aminul Islam, officer-in-charge of the Bagha police station, said that he heard Babul succumbed to his injuries at the RMCH.
鈥楾he case filed with the police station will now be converted into a murder case,鈥� he added.
Leaders and activists of an AL faction held a demonstration demanding justice for Babul in front of Bagha High School on Wednesday.
On Saturday, supporters of Bagha upazila parishad chairman and Rajshahi district AL joint general secretary Layeb Uddin Lavlu and Bagha municipality mayor and district AL member Akkas Ali formed a human chain in front of the municipal building at 10:30am protesting against corruption and irregularities of the Upazila Deeds Writers Association.
Supporters of ruling AL lawmaker Md Shahriar Alam gathered in front of the Bangabandhu Chattar, about 100 yards from the other group, to protest against the corruption, nepotism and violent activities of Akkas Ali.
The two AL factions 鈥� one led by Rajshahi district Juba League organising secretary and Pakuria union parishad chairman Merajul Islam Meraj and another by Ashraful Islam Babul 鈥� locked into a clash at about 10:40am.
Later, members of law enforcement agencies fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets and brought the situation under control at about 11:20am.