Factional clashes during BNP founding anniversary events leave dozens injured in 3 districts

Around 89 people were reportedly injured in clashes between rival BNP factions over celebrations marking the party’s founding anniversary in three districts today.

In Munshiganj, a clash broke out between two factions of BNP in Sreenagar upazila between the supporters of local lawmaker Sheikh Abdullah and BNP’s Central Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu in front of Jamjam Tower around 11:30am.

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Jewel Mia, officer-in-charge of Sreenagar Police Station, said two rival BNP factions organised separate programmes to mark the party's founding anniversary. When supporters of Sheikh Abdullah reached Sreenagar Bazar in a procession, an altercation broke out with supporters of Sapu, which later escalated into a clash.

Witnesses said at least nine people, including two police personnel, were injured in the incident.

However, OC Jewel denied that any police personnel were injured.

“None of the officers were injured. Two people were injured in the clash between the two sides, though their political affiliations are yet to be confirmed,” he said.

In Patuakhali, around 50 people were reportedly injured and two business establishments vandalised after two groups of BNP activists clashed.

The incident took place around 12:30pm at the Galachipa upazila headquarters.

Police and locals said two separate rallies -- one led by the upazila unit BNP Convener Golam Mostafa and another led by supporters of BNP’s expelled leader Hasan Mamun -- were marching several streets in the upazila headquarters on the occasion of the party’s founding anniversary.

Tension escalated when the groups came face to face at Kalibari Road area, resulting in a clash.

Hasan Mamun’s follower Abdus Sattar Hawlader alleged that they first came under attack by their opponents.

However, Golam Mostafa’s follower Ikhtiar Rahman Kabir denied the allegation and claimed that their rivals attacked them without any provocation.

Contacted, Galachipa Police Station’s OC Md Imtiaz Ahmed confirmed the clash and said additional law enforcers were deployed in the area to avoid further violence.

In Chattogram, at least 30 BNP activists were injured in a clash between two local factions in Sitakunda upazila during celebrations marking the party’s founding anniversary.

During the clash, crude bombs were blasted, triggering panic among residents, and several highway vehicles were also vandalised, said police and local sources.

The incident took place at around 1:00pm in the Hasan Gomosta Masjid area of Sitakunda municipality after supporters of former joint secretary general of BNP Aslam Chowdhury clashed with supporters of BNP’s North District former joint convener Kazi Md Salauddin.

Following the clash and vandalism, Salauddin’s supporters blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway at Banshbaria Bazar for about an hour and a half, demanding the arrest of those responsible.

Our correspondents from Munshiganj, Patuakhali and Chattogram contributed to this report.