Sabbir Ibn Siddiq, Hatiya ( Noakhali)

Tension has spread over the BNP's announced nomination in Noakhali-6 (Hatiya ) constituency. On Saturday evening, supporters of the nominated and the unsuccessful candidates clashed in the Zero Point area of Ochkhali Bazar, causing a series of chases, scuffles and explosions of cocktail bombs. It is learnt that some people from both sides were injured in the incident. The situation in the entire area is tense due to the incident.

According to local sources, leaders and activists of two groups began gathering at both ends of Ochkhali Bazar on Saturday afternoon. On one side were supporters of former MP Engineer Fazlul Azim, and on the other side were supporters of central BNP organizing secretary and nominated candidate Mahbubur Rahman Shamim.

When the two sides faced each other in the evening, tension instantly arose from slogans and counter-slogans.

At one point, panic spread throughout the market as chases and counter-chase incidents and scuffles broke out. Shops closed and ordinary people began to evacuate to safety.

At that time, Fazlul Azim's supporters took out a torchlight procession demanding the cancellation of his nomination.

Clashes broke out again with supporters of Mahbubur Rahman Shamim. The situation became even more heated when several cocktails exploded within a short time.

Lutfullahil Majid Nishan, former senior joint secretary of Hatia Upazila BNP, who was in charge of Mahbubur Rahman Shamim's election, said,
"We were campaigning for the paddy sheaf since noon. When we went to Zero Point in the evening, Fazlul Azim's people attacked us with provocative slogans. Some of us were injured in this. Later, they exploded a cocktail."

On the other hand, Ala Uddin Alo, former general secretary of the municipal BNP, who was in charge of the election of Engineer Fazlul Azim, complained,
"When we took out a torchlight procession demanding the cancellation of Shamim's nomination, Shamim's people first attacked us. Our leaders and activists were also injured in this."

Upon receiving information about the incident, the Navy and police rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control.

Locals claim that tensions were rising in the area over the nomination issue, but Saturday's incident brought it to a head. According to observers, political unrest in Hatia constituency may intensify further if the internal crisis over the nomination is not resolved quickly.