BNP Factions Clash Over VGF Rice Distribution in Shariatpur

Staff Correspondent

A clash between two factions of the BNP over the distribution of VGF rice led to a cocktail explosion, injuring at least four people.

The injured were admitted to the Upazila Health Complex. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon in front of the Samantasar Union Parishad office.

The injured were identified as Kabir Hossain (48), son of Firoz Molla from Char Samantasar; Anwar Hossain Howlader (42), son of Ali Ahmed Howlader; Jamal Molla (50), son of Surjat Ali Molla; and local reserved female UP member Rehana Begum (35).

According to police and local eyewitnesses, VGF rice distribution was underway for 600 needy families, providing 10 kilograms of rice each for Eid.

Supporters of Tariq Aziz Mobarak Dhali, former BNP president of the upazila, received 200 VGF slips through Kabir Mawlana, Babul Master, and Abdul Motaleb Madbor, all former BNP leaders of Samantasar Union. However, former BNP general secretary and ex-chairman of the union, Akhtar Hossain Nantu Khan, opposed handing over the rice allocated for these slips.

The opposition led to heated arguments and clashes between the two factions, escalating into a cocktail explosion. Kabir, Anwar, Jamal, and Rehana sustained injuries during the explosion.

Akhtar Hossain Nantu Khan commented, “Mobarak Dhali is from the upazila level and wants to impose authority in Samantasar Union. His supporters were given 200 slips without consulting me, which caused the conflict.”

Mobarak Dhali countered, “There has been a rivalry between my supporters and Nantu Khan since the UP elections. Today, he obstructed the rice distribution to my people and attacked them with cocktail explosions, injuring several of my supporters.”

Gosairhat Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Maksud Alam confirmed the incident, saying, “A clash occurred between two BNP factions over VGF rice distribution. Police were dispatched to the scene. So far, no complaints have been filed. Legal action will be taken upon receiving a formal complaint.”