15 injured as supporters of Advisor Asif Mahmud, BNP activists clash over protest

They trade blame as brick-throwing sparks violence in Cumilla’s Muradnagar

At least 15 people have been injured during clashes between supporters of Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and BNP activists in Cumilla’s Muradnagar Upazila.

The violence broke out around the Allahu Chattar on Wednesday afternoon when a protest rally called by Asif Mahmud’s supporters, under the banner of “people of all walks of Muradnagar”, came under attack from the direction of the nearby district council market, according to police and witnesses.

At the same time, BNP Vice Chairman Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad’s supporters in the BNP student front Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal had also called a protest at the same venue.

Tensions escalated quickly as both groups accused each other of launching attacks.

Protesters from Asif Mahmud’s side said 10–12 of their supporters were injured in the clashes, claiming that up to 50 civilians had been hurt. They alleged that BNP activists threw bricks unprovoked, despite their own protest being permitted by authorities.

Obaidul Haque, former convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Muradnagar, said: “Since Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain became advisor, Kaikobad’s men have spread propaganda against him and blame him for everything in Muradnagar. We organised this protest peacefully with permission, but were attacked with bricks. The police failed to protect us.”

In contrast, Muradnagar BNP convener Mohiuddin Anjan claimed, “Our Chhatra Dal programme was peaceful and pre-announced. Asif Mahmud’s men always counter our events. They threw bricks while our boys were still sitting at the party office.”

Muradnagar police’s investigation officer Amin Kader Khan said, “The clash began when bricks were thrown without provocation during a rally by supporters of Asif Mahmud. It escalated into chasing and counter-chasing before police brought the situation under control.”