BNP, Shibir terrorists clash at mosque in Noakhali, 40 injured in vandalism

District Correspondent

A bloody clash broke out between BNP and terrorists from the underground organization Chhatra Shibir over a mosque event in Sadar Upazila of Noakhali, injuring at least 40 people from both sides.

The clash took place in the Kashembazar area of ​​Newajpur Union of the upazila at around 5 pm today, Sunday, October 19.

According to local sources, a meeting of Shibir workers was held at Kashembazar Mosque on Saturday under the initiative of the underground organization Shibir under the name of a Quran education class.

Workers led by the Union Jubo Dal president obstructed the mosque on charges of politics. In response, Shibir leaders filed a general diary (GD) at Sudharam Model Police Station this afternoon. After protesting, the underground organization announced that it would organize a ‘Darsul Quran’ competition at the same mosque in the afternoon.

Eyewitnesses said that when the competition started after the Asr prayers, BNP leaders and activists chanted the slogan ‘Ziar Sainik’ outside the mosque. Then, armed terrorists from the camp who had prepared in advance jumped on them. Which turned into a bloody clash. At least 40 people from both sides were injured in the clash.

BNP workers cornered the armed terrorists from the underground organization Shibir inside the mosque. They stood outside and continued to demonstrate and shout slogans.

The army and police launched a joint operation to control the situation and rescue the camp workers. Around 6:30 pm, the Jamaat-Shibir terrorists trapped inside the mosque were rescued and safely evacuated.

Habibur Rahman Arman, a member of the central executive council of the underground organization Shibir and president of its Noakhali city branch, claimed, “BNP leaders and activists attacked our peaceful Quran class. Our brothers were lying injured in the mosque, yet the law enforcement agencies took no action.”

On the other hand, former Newajpur Union BNP president Kamal Uddin Babul said, “We were attacked from inside the mosque after the prayers. Many leaders and activists, including two brothers of former Jubo Dal president Faruk, were injured.”

BNP activists also said that Shibir terrorists have been carrying out political activities inside mosques in the name of Quran education and Darsul Quran for a long time. Their workers’ rallies, jihadi training of terrorist workers, and instructions for armed programs against leaders and activists of various parties including BNP are given in these meetings. However, they are using the name of Quran and Hadith to cast doubt on people’s eyes.

Local BNP leaders said that after Asr prayers, Shibir leaders and activists started their party activities by chanting slogans at the mosque and they were stopped by them. Then Shibir members attacked. At least 15 leaders and activists of the Union BNP and its affiliates were injured.

Among the injured, 8 people, including Union BNP Publicity Secretary Akhter, Office Secretary Jahangir, and former Chhatra Dal President Ziaur Rahman, have been admitted to Noakhali General Hospital, they said.

Sudharam Police Station OC Kamrul Islam said, “The situation is now completely under control. Additional police have been deployed in the area to ensure that no further untoward incidents occur.”