Roving Correspondent, Ishwardi

A clash broke out between BNP and Jamaat activists of Begum Khaleda Zia's Adviser Habibur Rahman Habib group over the distribution of TCB cards allotted to the poor in Ishwardi.

In the clash, 4 rounds of firing were also done with the use of indigenous weapons, batons. At least 8 people were injured in this clash. Panic spread throughout the area after the firing incident.

One of the injured has been admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Even on Thursday, fear prevails among the common people throughout the area.

The incident took place in Lakshikunda Union Parishad premises in the remote Charachanchal, about twenty kilometers from Ishwardi city, on Wednesday evening.

The injured in the clash are - Lakshikunda Union BNP Habibur Rahman Habib group convenor Biru Molla, Biru Molla's son Rajib Molla, BNP worker Milan Biswas, Rabbi Molla, Jamaat worker Hasan, Md Tofail, Md Akram and Feroz Fakir. Secretary of Lakshikunda Union Jamaat Zillur Rahman said, we BNP and Jamaat leaders take the initiative to properly distribute TCB cards allotted to poor people of 9 wards of Lakshikunda Union subject to discussion. BNP leader Biru Mollah and Akram Ali, union secretary of Jamaat youth organization, had a discussion on the issue of distribution of cards at the Union Parishad office on Wednesday afternoon.

At one point, the issue was resolved through the mediation of Union Parishad Secretary Mizanur Rahman. Shortly after the incident, BNP people supported by Biru Molla gathered and headed towards the house of Union Secretary of Jamaat Youth Organization Akram Ali, when Akram Ali's men stopped them on the road.

This led to a conflict between the two parties. At one point there was a shooting incident. However, no one was injured in the shooting. BNP-Jamaat leaders are blaming each other for the firing incident. Biru Molla, BNP leader of Lakshikunda union of BNP central leader Habibur Rahman Habib Group said, Akram Ali used to do Awami League politics till now.

Now joined Jamaat and started terrorist activities. Several of our leaders were injured in the Jamaat attack. On the same issue, Union Secretary of Jamaat Youth Organization Akram Ali said, I am involved in Jamaat politics since 2018. Local BNP leaders called me an Awami League leader.

We have already discussed with the leaders of BNP regarding the distribution of TCB cards of Lakshikunda Union. Work was going on accordingly. But on Wednesday, a leader of BNP said that no card will be given to anyone on the words of Jamaat leaders. There was a discussion with them about this.

Later, they attacked us with weapons. Four of our workers were injured. BNP Jamaat is preparing to file two separate complaints in this incident.

Shahidul Islam, officer-in-charge of Ishwardi police station, said that the police went to the spot and brought the situation under control after receiving information about the clash. None of the parties filed a complaint in the police station.