In-fighting in Manikganj BNP intensifies

The three JCD leaders attacked at Manikganj Mohila College principal's room during the clashes have dropped their BA examination this year as they are fleeing homes after death threat by rivals, they told this correspondent yesterday.

They are district JCD Joint Secretary Mostafizur Rahman Prince, Ohidul Islam Biswas Lotus and Binoy, all loyal to Tozammel Hoq Tota.

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They were attacked when they came out of the examination hall on Sunday.

Their rival faction is backed by Chief Whip Khandaker Delwar Hossain.

Leaders of the Delwar-backed faction at a press conference at Manikganj Press Club Monday evening said those attacked on Sunday are "illegal toll collectors".

The attack was part of protests against toll collectors. They said Tota is a former JCD leader. He is not a BNP leader they said and requested journalists not to depict him as a BNP leader.

They said front ranking BNP leaders of the district including Delwar and Harunur Rashid Khan Monnu will meet in Dhaka soon, where future steps against the "so-called BNP leaders" will be discussed.

The press conference was addressed by, among others,

Abdul Wahab Khan, Jamilur Rashid Khan, Azad Hossain Khan, Ataur Rahman, Moksedur Rahman , SA Kabir Jinnah, Motaleb Hossain, ASM Iqbal Hossain, Mahboob Hossain Mohabbat, Abdus Salam Badal, Atiar Rahman Nuru, Shamsul Hoq and Golam Mostafa.

On the other hand, Tota, now at Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment of injuries caused by rivals' attack, in a seven-page fax statement sent to the press club said he sought intervention of the BNP chief Khaleda Zia and the First Joint Secretary General to resolve the intra-party feud in Manikganj.

Tota said the party chief took a correct decision by replacing Chief Whip Delwar Hossain with Dr. M Osman Faruk to head the party in Manikganj.

"Those who attacked JCD leaders, Mohila College principal's room and journalists on Sunday, had attacked me earlier", he said.