BNP Factions Clash Over Extortion from Trucks: 1 Killed, 15 Injured

Local Correspondent

In Madhyanagar, a border upazila of Sunamganj, a clash between two local factions of the BNP over extortion from coal and sand-stone-laden trucks has left one person dead and at least 15 others injured.

The incident occurred on Monday night at Maheshkhola Bazar in the upazila. The deceased, Mohammad Ali (60), was identified as a BNP activist by locals.

According to police and local sources, coal and sand-stone are transported by trucks from Tahirpur via the border road through Maheshkhola. Members of two local groups affiliated with the BNP and its youth wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), have been collecting extortion money from these trucks.

This has led to a long-standing feud between Hazrat Ali, a local BNP leader from Saudpara, his brother Muktar Hossain, a member of the upazila BNP convening committee, and Harun Mahmud, a Chhatra Dal leader, and Delwar Hossain, a BNP leader from Hosenpur village.

On Monday afternoon, a mediation meeting was held between the two factions over the division of extortion money. However, as no resolution was reached, the groups clashed around 8:00 PM. During the clash, Mohammad Ali, a 60-year-old BNP activist, was killed by brick and stone pelting from the opposing group. At least 15 people from both sides were injured.

Following the incident, tensions escalated in the area, prompting the deployment of police led by an assistant superintendent of police (ASP) and the officer-in-charge (OC) of the local police station.

Madhyanagar Police Station OC Sajib Rahman said, “The situation is now calm. No party has yet filed a case regarding the clash and casualties, but preparations for a case are underway.”

Sunamganj Police Superintendent Tofail Ahmed stated, “A clash between two BNP factions over extortion from sand-stone trucks resulted in the death of an elderly man due to brick and stone pelting. Several others were injured. Police have been deployed as tensions remain high in the area.”