At least 10 injured as two BNP factions clash in Cumilla's Lalmai, police bring situation under control

A clash, chase and counter-chase and brick-throwing broke out between two local factions of the BNP in Lalmai, Cumilla. At least 10 people from both sides were injured. The incident took place on Friday evening (30 October) at Bhushchi Bazar in Lalmai upazila. The injured were given first aid and none of them is in a serious condition.

Locals said a rally and gathering had been organised at Lalmai Bazar for the 48th founding anniversary of the Jatiotabadi Jubo Dal, an associate body of the BNP. As the rally reached Bhushchi Bazar, an allegation arose against one faction of the upazila BNP of beating Alamgir Hossain, a Swechchhasebak Dal worker, on his way to join it.

Later in the evening, on the way back after the rally and gathering ended, tension flared again between the two sides at Bhushchi Bazar and turned into a clash. Supporters of both sides chased each other, threw bricks and attacked with locally made weapons.

Former upazila BNP joint convener Farhad Uddin and Shamim Iqbal, and Jubo Dal workers Md Mamun and Saddam Hossain were among at least 10 people from both sides injured in the clash. Two pedestrians were also injured. The injured were taken to various hospitals after receiving first aid locally.

On receiving the news, police went to the spot and brought the situation under control. A tense atmosphere prevailed across the area after the incident.

Lalmai upazila Swechchhasebak Dal leader Mozammel Haque alleged that supporters of Mobashwer Alam Bhuiyan, MP for Cumilla-10, were marching towards Lalmai to join the main Jubo Dal founding anniversary programme when supporters of the Cumilla-6 MP attacked the procession as it reached the Bhushchi Bazar area.

On the other hand, Lalmai upazila BNP general secretary Yusuf Ali Mir Pintu said that when they were questioned about propaganda against them on social media, several people came there and got into an argument. At one stage tension rose between the two sides and a clash followed.

Lalmai Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Mizanur Rahman said police went to the spot as soon as they received news of the clash and brought the situation under control. The situation is now normal. No one has filed a written complaint over the incident. If a complaint is received, legal action will be taken subject to investigation.

There are two factions in Lalmai upazila BNP. One follows Monirul Haque Chowdhury, MP for Cumilla-6 (Sadar-Sadar South) and a former adviser to the BNP chairperson. The other follows Mobashwer Alam Bhuiyan, MP for Cumilla-10 (Lalmai-Nangalkot) and a central BNP member. A dispute between the two MPs over whether to drop or keep the newly formed Lalmai upazila recently became public, and tension often runs between the two sides on social media. Both MPs were contacted about these matters, but neither agreed to speak.