BNP Founding Anniversary Clashes Leave Nearly 90 Injured in Bangladesh
Rival factions clash during anniversary programs in Munshiganj, Patuakhali and Chattogram; vandalism and highway blockade reported
DHAKA, Bangladesh — Clashes between rival factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or BNP, during celebrations marking the party’s founding anniversary left about 89 people injured in three districts on Wednesday, according to police, local officials and witnesses.
Violence was reported in Munshiganj, Patuakhali and Chattogram as rival BNP groups held separate rallies and programs to mark the party’s anniversary.
Clash in Munshiganj
In Munshiganj’s Sreenagar upazila, a clash broke out between supporters of local lawmaker Sheikh Abdullah and BNP Central Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu in front of Jamjam Tower at about 11:30 a.m.
Sreenagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jewel Mia said the two factions had organized separate programs for the anniversary. The situation escalated when supporters of Sheikh Abdullah reached Sreenagar Bazar in a procession and encountered supporters of Sapu.
Witnesses said at least nine people, including two police officers, were injured.
Jewel, however, denied that any police personnel were hurt. He said two people were injured in the clash, although their political affiliations had not been confirmed.
About 50 injured in Patuakhali
In Patuakhali’s Galachipa upazila, about 50 people were reportedly injured and two business establishments were vandalized when supporters of rival BNP factions clashed around 12:30 p.m.
Police and local residents said two separate rallies were being held at the upazila headquarters. One was led by BNP upazila unit Convener Golam Mostafa, while the other was organized by supporters of expelled BNP leader Hasan Mamun.
Tensions rose when the two groups confronted each other near Kalibari Road, triggering a clash.
Abdus Sattar Hawlader, a supporter of Hasan Mamun, alleged that his group was attacked first. Ikhtiar Rahman Kabir, a supporter of Golam Mostafa, rejected the allegation and said their opponents launched the attack without provocation.
Galachipa Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Imtiaz Ahmed confirmed the clash and said additional law enforcement personnel had been deployed to prevent further violence.
30 injured in Chattogram
In Chattogram’s Sitakunda upazila, at least 30 BNP activists were injured in a clash between two local factions during anniversary celebrations.
The clash occurred at about 1 p.m. near Hasan Gomosta Masjid in Sitakunda municipality after supporters of former BNP Joint Secretary General Aslam Chowdhury confronted supporters of Kazi Md. Salauddin, a former BNP North District joint convener.
Police and local sources said crude bombs were detonated during the clash, causing panic among residents. Several vehicles on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway were also vandalized.
Following the violence and vandalism, supporters of Salauddin blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway at Banshbaria Bazar for about 90 minutes, demanding the arrest of those responsible.
The incidents came as BNP supporters across Bangladesh organized rallies and other programs to mark the party’s founding anniversary.
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