Saiful Islam, Baufal (Patuakhali)
At least 10 people were injured in a clash on a passenger launch over a dispute over a card game at the launch ghat in Baufle, Patuakhali. The incident took place at the Baga launch ghat on Monday (February 17) morning. According to eyewitnesses, when the Sundarbans-14 launch reached the Baga ghat at 8:30 am, 20-25 people led by Ruhul Amin boarded the launch and attacked the staff and passengers indiscriminately. At least 10 people were injured, including the launch's captain Ibrahim (30), Rahman (28), Firoz (30) and passengers Sujan (20), Ratul (17) and Ishrafil (18).
Launch supervisor Md. Yunus said the launch left Dhaka Sadarghat at 7 pm on Sunday. When four young men were playing cards on the launch at night, some members of the Tablighi Jamaat stopped them, which led to a brawl and scuffle. Although the situation calmed down after the launch staff intervened, the next morning, when the launch reached Baga Ghat, the attack was carried out due to the previous incident.
Tablighi Jamaat member Sujan said that their 45-member group boarded a launch on their way home from a Sadist gathering. At night, they had an argument with their leader, Md. Dalim, over a card game. In the morning, Ruhul Amin and 20-25 others boarded the launch and attacked them. When the launch staff stopped them, they were also beaten up.
Baufal Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Kamal Hossain said the incident has come to his attention, but no one has filed a written complaint yet.
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