Two BNP factions hold rival programmes in Debidwar, MP's motorcade attacked
Two factions of the BNP held rival processions and rallies in Debidwar, Cumilla, on the occasion of Revolution and Solidarity Day. During the events, the motorcade of Rasheda Begum (Hira), a member of parliament from a reserved women's seat, was attacked and vandalised. The incident took place on Sunday afternoon in the Kalachan Market area of Debidwar municipality.
According to BNP and local sources, the Debidwar Upazila BNP organised a discussion meeting and procession at New Market square to mark Revolution and Solidarity Day. The meeting was chaired by Upazila BNP convener Jasim Uddin, with MP Rasheda Begum as chief guest. Abul Hashem, convener of Cumilla North District BNP, was the chief speaker. BNP central executive committee member Saidur Rahman and former Chhatra Dal joint general secretary M A Awal Khan, among others, were present.
On the other side, another rally was held at the Debidwar Government Reazuddin Pilot Model High School ground, led by Cumilla North District BNP joint convener Rezwanul Ahsan Munshi and former member secretary A F M Tarek Munshi. Former MP Manjurul Ahsan Munshi was the chief guest there.
Tension had prevailed in the upazila headquarters since morning, as the two sides held their programmes at nearby places at the same time.
According to eyewitnesses and others involved, a procession after the Upazila BNP rally ended at the Upazila Parishad compound. Meanwhile, another procession after the rally led by Rezwanul Ahsan Munshi and A F M Tarek Munshi moved towards the Upazila Parishad. As MP Rasheda Begum and the other guests were leaving the Upazila Parishad compound by car, the two sides came face to face in front of Kalachan Market. At one point, the MP's car was struck with hands and feet, and the car of M A Awal Khan, former joint general secretary of the central Chhatra Dal, was vandalised.
Awal Khan said, 'After finishing our programme, we came face to face with them in front of Kalachan Market on our way back. They were chanting objectionable slogans about divisional organising secretary and MP Salim Bhuiyan and MP Rasheda Begum. When our leaders and activists asked them not to chant such slogans, they attacked the motorcade and vandalised my car. Former member secretary of North District BNP, A F M Tarek Munshi, himself led it.'
However, A F M Tarek Munshi, former member secretary of Cumilla North District BNP, denied the allegation. Speaking on Sunday night, he said, 'We know nothing about such an incident. The allegation is completely baseless. I myself saved their cars from being vandalised.'
Explaining the separate rally, Tarek Munshi said a large section of leaders and activists, including Cumilla North District BNP joint convener Rezwanul Ahsan Munshi and Debidwar Upazila BNP member secretary Abul Kalam, were not invited to the other side's programme. That is why a separate programme was organised with Manjurul Ahsan Munshi as chief guest. He also commented that there are precedents of the BNP holding separate programmes in different parts of the country.
MP Rasheda Begum raised the question of whether those who want to intimidate others around the organisation's programme should be considered people of the party. She said, 'If they had any complaint, they could have talked to us. Attacking us like the Awami League (activities banned), it seems they are representing the Awami League itself. At that time they struck our cars and abused divisional organising secretary Salim Bhuiyan by name. Later, police brought us to safety.'
Md Mariuzzaman, officer-in-charge of Debidwar Police Station, said on Sunday night that two BNP factions held rallies at nearby places at the same time. When the two sides came face to face as the group led by MP Rasheda Begum was leaving after their programme, tension flared, and the glass of M A Awal Khan's car was smashed. Police immediately moved them to safety. Legal action will be taken if a complaint is filed. Although tension was created, no other incident took place.
