A group of Juba League activists supporting a BNP faction attacked rivals over local dominance in Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj on Monday, leaving at least three people injured and a local BNP office and at least 10 houses vandalised.
Meanwhile, leaders and activists of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League brought out processions in Chattogram and Moulvibazar demanding the withdrawal of the ban imposed on the organisation and of the cases filed against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and party leaders and activists.
New Age Munshiganj correspondent reported that a local BNP office and 10 houses were vandalised by members of the rival BNP group in Char Balaki village under Gazaria upazila with support of activists of Juba League, youth front of the Awami League, activities of which are now banned for atrocities during the July Mass Uprising that forced the fall of AL regime on August 5, 2024.
The injured were identified as Musa, 70, Sumon, 35, and Jiku, 28. Sumon and Jiku were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
Witnesses said that a dispute had been continuing -- since the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections -- between supporters of Musa, who backed BNP-nominated candidate Quamruzzaman Ratan, now lamwker for Munshiganj-3, and supporters of Shahor Ali, follower of independent lawmaker candidate and BNP leader Md Mohiuddin.
The violence erupted after Musa and Shahor Ali became involved in an altercation near a local Eidgah on Monday afternoon.
Soon afterwards, supporters of Gazaria upazila Jubo League leader Nazmul Islam, also supporter of Shahor Ali, and supporters of Jubo Dal leader Anwar Hossain Pradhan, also follower of Musa, engaged in counter-chases that escalated into clashes.
At one stage of the clash, the BNP offices of wards 8 and 9 of Hosendi union and at least 10 houses were vandalised by allegedly followers of Jubo League man Nazmul Islam.
Musa alleged that Shahor Ali and his son had assaulted him several months ago, adding that Monday’s altercation triggered the latest violence.
Anwar Hossain alleged that supporters of Juba League leader Nazmul carried out a planned attack on his supporters, vandalising houses and the BNP office.
Nazmul Islam, however, denied the allegation, claiming that Anwar’s supporters had first attempted to attack him and the vandalism allegations were false.
CCTV footage circulated on social media reportedly showed several people carrying locally made weapons and attacking houses belonging to Anwar Pradhan and his supporters.
Gazaria police station officer-in-charge Md Hasan Ali said that the two groups had long-standing factional disputes, adding that legal action would be taken after an investigation.
Visiting the area, additional superintendent of police for the Munshiganj Sadar circle Md Imran Ahmed said that the incident stemmed from a group-based dispute rather than a political conflict.
Meanwhile, New Age staff correspondent from Chattogram reported that leaders and activists of the banned BCL brought out a flash procession in the GEC crossing area of the port city on Monday morning.
Witnesses said that activists of the organisation’s Omar Gani MES College unit joined the procession and chanted slogans while marching towards the GEC crossing.
The procession started from a point adjacent to the city’s No 2 Gate crossing, carrying a banner reading ‘MES College Chhatra League’.
Chattogram Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner for public relations Aminur Rashid said that the police found no procession participants after reaching the spot.
‘We are reviewing videos circulated on social media. Those involved will be identified and brought to justice,’ he said.
Another video showing a procession allegedly brought out by BCL activists at Chatari Choumuhani in Anwara upazila also circulated on social media.
However, Anwara police station officer-in-charge Md Junayed Chowdhury said that the footage did not belong to Monday and that no such procession took place there during the day.
New Age staff correspondent from Sylhet reported that the police arrested two activists of the banned BCL after a procession was brought out in Moulvibazar town demanding the withdrawal of the ban on the organisation and political activities of the Awami League, which are now banned.
The arrestees were identified as Ferdausur Rahman Bappi, 30, and Armanur Rahman, 20.
Witnesses said that a group of BCL activists brought out a flash procession from a Chowmuhani point in the early morning and marched along Shamshernagar Road under the organisation’s banner.
Moulvibazar sadar police station officer-in-charge Md Saiful Islam said that the police rushed to the spot after receiving information and arrested two participants following a chase.
He said that further legal steps, including filing a case, were under way.
New Age correspondent in Narayanganj reported that a group of Juba League activists held a brief ‘flash procession’ in Fakirbari Madrassah area under Sadar upazila of Narayanganj on Monday morning.
Witnesses said that a group of 15–20 Juba League activists brought out the procession, but they dispersed quickly as some activists of National Citizen Party chased them.
