BNP factions clash over party committee: 50 hurt

At least four shops were looted and several vehicles damaged during the clash that disrupted road communication in the area, which did not resume till yesterday evening.

Mosharaf Hossain Mongu, local lawmaker from BNP, was declared 'unwanted' by his opponent faction, backed by advocate Joynul Abedin, a central BNP leader.

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Police and local administration sources said the central BNP declared advocate Abdul Hye and Mezbahuddin Apu Chowdhury, two leaders backed by local law maker Mosharraf Hossain Mongu, as president and secretary of the newly formed Hizla upazila BNP committee on Tuesday.

This angered the group led by Sergeant (Rtd.) Anwar Hossain Dulal, who was an aspirant for the post of Hizla upazila BNP president. He is convener of local four-party alliance. He belongs to the faction led by Advocate Joynul Abedin.

On Tuesday night, the faction opposed to the lawmaker called day-long hartal for yesterday demanding change in the party decision.

Yesterday, at about 10 in the morning, they brought out a protest procession and held a rally at Hizla bus stand.

The rally was addressed by Sergeant (Rtd) Dulal; JCD leaders Dewan Manir, Nazmul Hossain; Jubo Dal leader Dewan Mannan; Mohila Dal leader Salma Begum and Sramil Dal leader Yusuf Ali.

The speakers demanded immediate cancellation of the newly formed committee and appointment of Dulal as upazila president of BNP within two days.

They also declared Mosharraf Hossain Mongu 'unacceptable' in Hizla.

After the meeting, a procession led by Dulal marched towards the Khunna Bandar Bazaar while their opponents led by Apu Chowdhury were waiting in front of Rupmahal cinema hall.

As they reached here, a chase and counter-chase and clashes ensued.

Intermittent clashes continued for over two hours.

After about an into the clashes, police led by Hizla thana OC Fashiar Rahman reached there and brought the situation under control by charging batons on the clashing BNP men.

The upazila administration then clamped Section 144 till midnight Wednesday.

Six of the injured were taken to hospital.

Tension was prevailing in the area and road communication did not resume when the report was filed yesterday evening.