Man dies as two Jubo Dal factions clash in Chattogram

The clash started over a dispute involving the hanging of a banner for the organisation’s anniversary celebrations

A man has been killed in Chattogram city’s Bakalia area following a clash between two factions of the Jubo Dal, a BNP affiliate.

The incident occurred on Syed Shah Road late on Monday night and locals say there was heavy gunfire during the violence.

The victim, a 22-year-old identified by a single name as Sajjad, is the son of Toktarpul area resident Alam. The family hailed from Cumilla’s Muradnagar Upazila. Sajjad was known as a supporter of Chattogram Mayor Shahadat Hossain.

Ikhtiar Uddin, chief of Bakalia Police Station, said: “We have heard reports the clash between the two sides started over the hanging of a banner. We have also received news that one person has been killed in the clash.”

Locals say Jubo Dal leader Borhan Uddin had put up a banner with a photo of Mayor Shahadat on Syed Shah Road to commemorate the Jubo Dal founding anniversary, locals said. But the supporters of Emdadul Haque Badsha, a former Jubo Dal leader, then tried to take down the banner. This sparked a clash between the two sides.

Eight to 10 people, including Sajjad, were shot in the ensuing violence.

Badsha is the former organising secretary of the Chattogram Metropolitan Jubo Dal. He was expelled from the party about a month ago over allegations of extortion and occupation.

Sajjad’s older brother Imran said, “Around 2am, my mother received a call on her mobile phone urging her to come to the hospital. When we heard about it, we all went to there and found Sajjad dead.”

“I was not at home at night. My mother would know when Sajjad left. My mother is very sick. She is in no condition to speak.”