Tension has flared in Saghata upazila of Gaibandha between supporters of the BNP-nominated candidate and those of an expelled BNP leader, prompting the upazila administration to impose Section 144.
According to an official order signed by UNO and Executive Magistrate Mir Md. Al Kamah Tamal, Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code will remain in effect in Saghata upazila and its surrounding areas from 6:00 AM to 12:00 midnight on Sunday,
The order stated that conflicts have arisen between supporters of expelled BNP leader Nahiduzzaman Nishad and BNP-nominated candidate Faruk Alam Sarkar over organizing motorcycle processions on the same day.
On November 3, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced Faruk Alam, vice-president of Gaibandha district BNP, as the party’s candidate for Gaibandha-5 (Saghata-Fulchhari) constituency in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Since then, rivalry between the factions of Faruk Alam and Nahiduzzaman Nishad has intensified in both upazilas.
Earlier, on October 24, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed issued a notice expelling Nahiduzzaman Nishad.
Grassroots BNP leaders claimed that Nahiduzzaman Nishad was never truly involved in BNP politics.
Saghata Police Station OC Monir Hossain said, “Police are on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents between the two groups. No one will be allowed to gather in violation of Section 144.”
