2 BNP factions clash in Sitakunda on party’s founding anniversary

Two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have clashed in Chattogram’s Sitakunda over the observance of its founding anniversary.

The clash occurred in the South Bypass area of Sitakunda on Tuesday afternoon. 

Following the confrontation, one faction blocked the road in the Bashbaria area.

The clash broke out between supporters of Aslam Chowdhury, who lost parliamentary membership over alleged loan default, and supporters of Kazi Salauddin, former joint convenor of the BNP’s Chattogram North unit

Both sides blamed each other for the clash.

Locals said rival committees representing the supporters of Aslam and Salauddin are active in Sitakunda. On Tuesday, both factions sought to organise separate programmes at a community centre in the municipality to mark the BNP’s founding anniversary. 

Later, the administration instructed the two factions to hold their programmes at separate times.

Around noon, a procession of Aslam’s supporters was heading towards the market when members of both factions came face-to-face in front of Hasan Gomosta Mosque in the South Bypass area, leading to a clash.

During the confrontation, both sides attacked each other with sticks and threw bricks and stones.

After news of the clash spread, activists supporting Salauddin barricaded the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in the Bashbaria area, bringing traffic movement to a halt.

Kazi Mohammad Mohiuddin, member secretary of the Sitakunda BNP and a supporter of Salauddin, told bdnews24.com: “We had organised a programme to mark the party’s founding anniversary. But suddenly, we were attacked with weapons.”

He claimed that at least 10 people from their side were injured in the attack.

Mohiuddin denied that they had blocked the road, saying: “Our party activists immediately brought out a procession in the Bashbaria area in protest against the attack. A large number of people joined the procession, which caused traffic to remain halted for some time. No barricade was put up.”

Meanwhile, Mohammad Morsalin, the member secretary of the Aslam-backed faction of the Upazila BNP, said: “Our programme was scheduled to be held at Moonstar Community Centre. After the club authorities cancelled it, we shifted the programme to another location. 

“Our leaders and activists were attacked while they were heading to attend the programme.”

He also claimed that several people from their side were injured in the attack.

Sitakunda Police Station chief Mohinul Islam said, “There was tension and pushing and shoving between the two factions over the observance of the party’s founding anniversary. Later, one faction went to Bashbaria and took up a position there. We persuaded them to leave the area.”