At least 10 injured as two BNP factions clash in Jamalganj, Sunamganj
At least 10 people were injured in a clash between two factions of the BNP in Jamalganj upazila of Sunamganj, centred on programmes marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day. Five of the injured were admitted to the upazila health complex.
The clash took place around noon on Saturday (November 7) on the road in front of the thana building in the upazila headquarters.
According to police and local residents, two factions of the local BNP took out separate processions in Jamalganj upazila headquarters on Saturday afternoon to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day. When the two processions came face to face on the road in front of the thana, neither side agreed to give way to the other, creating tension among leaders and activists of both sides.
Police arrived at the scene and tried to bring the situation under control. But in the meantime, the two sides began throwing brickbats and chasing each other. At one stage, leaders and activists of both sides clashed with sticks, leaving at least 10 people injured.
Local sources said one faction includes upazila BNP convener Shafiqur Rahman, convener committee members Mohammad Shahjahan and Julfikar Chowdhury, among others. The other faction includes joint conveners Masum Mahmud Talukdar and Abdul Malek, among others.
Masum Mahmud Talukdar said their procession was peaceful. Four joint conveners and numerous leaders and activists of the BNP, Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal took part in it. But people from the rival side blocked their procession and attacked them with sticks, injuring three to four of their people.
On the other hand, Julfikar Chowdhury, a member of the upazila BNP convener committee, said they were holding a rally at the upazila park after finishing their procession. At that time, people from the rival side came there and began a procession and slogans, creating tension, after which the two sides chased each other.
Md. Bande Ali, officer-in-charge of Jamalganj Police Station, said the chase and fighting essentially began after the two processions taken out for the National Revolution and Solidarity Day programmes came face to face. He said legal action will be taken on the basis of complaints.
Five of the injured were admitted to the upazila health complex. The rest are receiving treatment locally, according to reports.
Separate BNP programmes are being held in different parts of the country to mark the day. After the counter-allegations from both sides in Jamalganj, police brought the situation under control. Local sources said a tense atmosphere prevails in the area after the incident.
No case has been filed over the clash yet. Police said legal action will be taken if a complaint is received.
