20 injured as BNP factions clash again in Raozan

BNP factions have clashed again in Raozan of Chattogram leaving at least 20 leaders and activists injured on both sides.

BNP chairperson's adviser and North District Convener Golam Akbar Khondakar, is among the injured, said police. Several vehicles, including Khondakar's microbus, were also vandalized during the conflict.

The incident took place in Sattarghat area of Ward No. 1 of Raozan Municipality on Tuesday (July 29) afternoon.

Locals said Golam Akbar Khondakar had left to visit the grave of late BNP leader Mohiuddin Ahmed. At that time, followers of the party's central Vice-Chairman Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury, who came from the opposite direction, reached Sattarghat with a motorcycle procession to mark the anniversary of the August 9 mass uprising. At one stage, the two factions clashed.

Among those injured in the clash are Raozan Upazila BNP General Secretary Anwar Hossain, former Secretary Nasim Uddin Chowdhury, Khondaker's personal assistant Arjun Kumar Nath, APS Asiqur Rahman, Jubo Dal leader Sajjad Hossain, BNP leader Aurangzeb Samrat, North District Chhatra Dal Vice President Naeem Uddin Minhaj and Mohammad Humayun.

Khondaker's personal assistant Arjun said: "Shots were fired at Sir. The bullet went near the side of the neck, and he is still bleeding. Khondaker was later taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital."

Khondaker Golam Akbar said: "I had already received news that there was a threat of an attack. I informed the law enforcement agencies, they assured me that they would provide security. But as soon as we crossed the Sattarghat Bridge, 50-60 people pelted bricks and attacked us with sticks."

Although attempts were made to contact Raozan Police Station OC several times, his comment was not available.

However, Chittagong District Additional Superintendent of Police Mohammad Russell said that there was a clash between two factions of BNP in Raozan. The situation is now under control. Law enforcement forces are deployed there. No one from either side came to the police station to complain. No one was arrested till evening.