Clash between two BNP factions at MP's reception in Cumilla's Titas, 10-12 injured

A clash and fight broke out between two factions of the BNP at a reception held for MP Principal Md Selim Bhuiyan in Titas upazila of Cumilla. Between 10 and 12 people from both sides were injured, and chairs, tables and other furniture at the venue were vandalised.

Principal Md Selim Bhuiyan, MP for Cumilla-2 (Homna-Titas), was being felicitated after being elected chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Education.

The incident took place at around 4pm on Thursday at the field of Dr Mosharraf Hossain High School in Gopalpur, in Ziarkandi union of Titas upazila, at a reception organised by the union BNP.

Eyewitnesses said supporters of Jamal Vendor, treasurer of the upazila BNP and an aspirant for the Ziarkandi union chairman nomination, entered the venue in the afternoon. When supporters of former chairman and upazila BNP vice-president Emdad Hossain arrived at the school gate, Jamal's supporters stopped them, creating tension between the two sides.

Later, when Emdad Hossain and his men moved towards the reception stage, Jamal was attacked and injured on the head. At one stage the incident turned into a clash and fight.

Between 10 and 12 people from both sides were injured in the clash. Chairs, tables and other furniture at the venue were vandalised. As the situation heated up, MP Selim Bhuiyan and other leaders and activists took shelter in a room of the school.

The reception was ultimately called off because of the clash and vandalism. The incident at an event organised to felicitate an MP has sparked much discussion and criticism in local political and social circles.