At least 15 people were injured in a clash between two groups of the BNP in Mirsarai, Chattogram.
Among the injured are Azizur Rahman Chowdhury, Member Secretary of the Upazila BNP, and Moin Uddin Liton, Convener of the Baraiyahat Municipal BNP. One faction of the BNP staged a protest at the police station, alleging that Jorarganj police did not assist during the incident.
The clash occurred around 9:30 pm on Sunday in front of Jobeda Pharmacy in Baraiyahat municipal area. Later that night, victim Mainur Islam Rahat filed a case naming 40 individuals and accusing another 25 unidentified persons. One of the seriously injured, Golam Maola, was referred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
Azizur Rahman Chowdhury, Member Secretary of Mirsarai Upazila BNP, said, “On Sunday night, after having tea and snacks at Kashban Restaurant with several of our leaders including Main Uddin Liton, convener of the municipal BNP, armed miscreants attacked us with sticks as we were leaving the restaurant. The assailants were followers of former Upazila BNP Member Secretary Gazi Nizam and former Municipal BNP Convener Didarul Alam Miazi. Even after calling the police, we received no assistance.”
When asked about the incident, former Mirsarai Upazila BNP Member Secretary Gazi Nizam Uddin said, “Hundreds of our leaders and activists regularly gather at Baraiyahat Boro Bazar. Some of our Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal leaders were standing in front of Kashban Hotel. Their followers made offensive remarks about our people, which led to a verbal altercation and then they initiated the attack. Our leaders including Shafayet Hossain Shuvo, Shahin Alam Nishat, Tanvir Hossain, Md. Badsha, and Zahidul Islam were injured in the attack.”
According to the emergency department of Mirsarai Upazila Health Complex, four of the injured received initial treatment there, and Maola, who was seriously injured, was referred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
Meanwhile, alleging lack of police support, one faction of the BNP held a protest inside the police station that night. Several loud bangs were heard during the demonstration. Later, Mainur Islam Rahat filed a case accusing former Baraiyahat Municipal BNP Convener Didarul Alam Miazi as the main accused. The case named 40 individuals and included another 25 as unidentified accused.
When asked, OC of Jorarganj Police Station Abdul Halim confirmed the incident and said a case has been filed. In response to a question, he said police were immediately dispatched to the scene upon receiving the report. Legal action will be taken promptly against the real perpetrators.
