Clashes Erupt Between Two BNP Factions at November 7 Event in Sunamganj

❐ District Representative

A clash broke out between two factions of the BNP in Jamalganj, Sunamganj, over the holding of separate processions on the occasion of Revolution and Solidarity Day.

Five people were injured in a clash on the road in front of the police station building in the upazila’s Sadar area on Saturday, November 7, at noon. One of them has been admitted to the Upazila Health Complex.

According to police and local residents, two rival factions of the BNP took out separate processions in Jamalganj Sadar at noon to mark the day. When the processions faced each other on the road in front of the police station, one faction refused to give way to the other. Tensions arose between the leaders and activists of the two parties over this.

The police were trying to calm the situation. Meanwhile, the two sides engaged in brickbat pelting and chasing each other. Later, a clash broke out with sticks. Five people were injured in the incident.

According to local sources, on one side are Upazila BNP convener Shafiqur Rahman, committee members Mohammad Shahjahan and Zulfikar Chowdhury, and others. On the other side are Upazila BNP joint convener Masum Mahmud Talukder and Abdul Malik, along with others.

Masum Mahmud Talukder said their procession was peaceful. Many leaders and activists of BNP, Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal, including the four joint conveners, joined it.

He alleged that people from the other side blocked their procession and attacked them with sticks, injuring three to four of them.

Zulfikar Chowdhury, a member of the convening committee of the other party’s Upazila BNP, said that they were holding a rally at the Upazila Park after the procession. Then the people of the opposing party went there and started marching and raising slogans. This increased tension and later there was a chase and counter-chase between the two parties.

Jamalganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Bande Ali said, “After the two processions faced each other, a chase and fight broke out. The two sides were staying at two separate locations till afternoon. Police are at the scene.”