Rangpur Bureau

 A clash and act of vandalism occurred at the Morneya Union BNP office in Kamdeb Shekhpara, Gangachara Upazila, Rangpur, around 10:00 PM on Wednesday.

 The incident stemmed from a dispute between two factions of the BNP regarding the 'bidi' (hand-rolled cigarette) market. During the altercation, chairs and banners at the office were destroyed, and portraits of late President Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and Tarique Rahman were vandalized. Three individuals, including the Union BNP President Mir Kashem Mithu, sustained injuries in the clash.

According to local residents, a long-standing dispute existed between Mir Kashem Mithu—owner of the 'Afiz', 'Akib', and 'Nibir' bidi brands—and Ramzan Ali Jiku, owner of the 'Fresh' bidi brand, concerning the bidi market. Tensions escalated during a discussion between the two sides at the Union BNP office, eventually leading to a physical confrontation. Mir Kashem Mithu, Chhoto Asad, and Taufiq Hossain Bablu were injured in the incident.

Mir Kashem Mithu claims that the attack was carried out because he had spearheaded anti-drug initiatives in Morneya Union, effectively curbing the activities of drug traffickers. Conversely, Ramzan Ali Jiku maintains that the incident was a direct result of the ongoing dispute over the bidi market. He alleged that his own sons were involved in the attack on the party office, noting that the two factions had clashed over the bidi market previously as well. In protest against the incident, a press conference was held at the Morneya Union BNP office around 11:30 PM. Attendees included Gangachara Upazila BNP President Chand Sarkar, General Secretary Ayub Ali, Morneya Union BNP General Secretary Abdul Mabud, and Ruhul Amin—a leader from the central committee of the 'Jatiyatabadi Prochar Dal'—along with other party members and activists. At a press conference, the vandalism of the party office and the attack on Mir Kashem Mithu were condemned and protested. Upazila BNP President Chand Sarkar demanded the immediate arrest and punishment of those involved in the incident.

OC of Rangpur’s Gangachara Model Police Station, Abdus Sabur, confirmed the incident, noting that no written complaint has been filed yet. Once a written complaint is received, an investigation will be conducted, and necessary legal action will be taken.