8 injured in clash between two BNP factions in Gazaria

A clash broke out between two factions of the BNP in Gazaria, Munshiganj over the announcement of party nominations. The incident took place around 5 pm on Friday, December 5 in the Jamaldi bus stand area of Hosendi Union, leaving at least eight people injured, including a woman. Several vehicles and an office were also vandalised during the clash.

To bring the situation under control, law enforcement has been deployed at the scene under the supervision of Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahmudul Hassan. Tension is prevailing in the area.

Those injured are Sadhin, 28, Shirina Begum, 46, Saidul, 25, Delwar, 49, Mostafa, 48, Sujon, 23, Asif Mir, 19, and Noyon, 26. Of them, Swadhin and Saidul were referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment.

According to local sources, the BNP announced candidates for 36 constituencies the previous day. For Munshiganj-3, central social welfare affairs secretary Md Kamruzzaman Ratan received the nomination. District BNP member secretary Mohiuddin Ahmed became frustrated after failing to secure the nomination, leading to growing tension between the two groups.

On Friday afternoon, Mohiuddin’s supporters were preparing for a torch procession near Sahara Market, while Ratan’s supporters gathered by the roadside to join a celebratory rally. The clash erupted when both groups came face-to-face.

Jubo Dal leader Ali Hossain alleged that the opposing group attacked them while they were preparing for a peaceful procession and vandalised his vehicle and office. On the other hand, BNP leader Momin Mridha claimed that shots were fired, crude bombs detonated, and brickbats thrown from Ali Hossain’s office during their rally preparation.

Commenting on the incident, district BNP convening committee member Muhammad Masud Faruk said this was not an internal BNP clash; rather, people celebrated Ratan’s nomination and resisted “Awami-affiliated miscreants”.

Officer-in-charge of Gazaria police station Anowar Alam Azad said police rushed to the spot on receiving information and brought the situation under control.