A clash erupted between two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) over the formation of a committee at Kalai upazila in Joypurhat district on Sunday afternoon.
During the clash, a party office was vandalized, and its furniture was set on fire.
The incident occurred in Punot area of the upazila.
The upazila administration imposed Section 144 in the area from Sunday at 3:00 PM to Monday at 8:00 AM.
Party sources said there is a division within the Punot Union BNP, which is why there are three BNP offices in Punot Bazar.
A committee announcement event for Ward No. 9, led by Ibrahim Fakir, convenor of the upazila BNP, was scheduled for around 3:00 PM in the bazar. At that time, some party activists complained that a committee was being formed with loyalists, excluding the dedicated leaders and workers of the party. In response, Ibrahim Fakir quickly announced the committee. Following this, Fakir’s supporters organized a procession and attacked the office of the opposing group, setting it on fire, leading to a chase-counter chase between the two factions.
Mahmudul Hasan Alan, joint secretary of the Punot Union BNP unit, said, "Upazila BNP convener Ibrahim Fakir was preparing to announce a ward committee with his followers. At that time, party leaders and activists opposed his actions. Later, his followers vandalized the party office and set it on fire."
Ibrahim Fakir, the convenor of Kalai Upazila BNP, said, "It was already announced that committees would be formed in the 9 wards of the union in the afternoon. One faction became active in trying to sabotage this. We have announced the committee. However, we are unaware of any vandalism or arson at the party office."
Jahid Hossain, officer-in-charge of Kalai Police Station, confirmed the incident.
MB
