Comilla Correspondent //

In Manoharganj, Comilla, leaders and activists of two BNP factions clashed repeatedly over the Jubo Dal’s organizational meeting. At least 10 people from both sides were injured. During the clash, cocktail explosions, motorcycles were set on fire and local weapons were used for training.

The incident took place in the Monoharganj Bazar of the upazila headquarters from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm today, Thursday. On receiving information, police and army members went to the spot and brought the situation under control.

According to party sources, BNP politics in Manoharganj is divided into two factions. One faction is led by M Anwarul Azim, former MP from Comilla-9 (Laksam-Manoharganj) constituency and former BNP organizing secretary of Comilla division. The other faction is led by BNP’s central industrial affairs secretary Md. Abul Kalam. For a long time, the two parties have been in conflict with each other over the formation of committees of BNP and its affiliates. The party leaders and activists are also divided into two streams. Currently, most of the committees of BNP and its affiliates in Manoharganj Upazila are under the control of Abul Kalam’s followers.

Upazila Jubo Dal leaders and activists said that today at around 2:30 pm, leaders and activists following Abul Kalam organized an organizational meeting of the Upazila Jubo Dal at the Manoharganj College auditorium. Several leaders of Comilla South District Jubo Dal participated there. Tension arose between the leaders and activists of the two parties when leaders and activists following Anwarul Azim announced to resist them. At that time, Kalam’s followers took position in the Khodaivita area in front of Manoharganj College and Azim’s followers in the North Bazar area of ​​Manoharganj. When Azim’s followers took out a procession, at one stage, the leaders and activists of the two parties started chasing each other and clashing. At least five motorcycles were set on fire and vandalized during this time. At least 10 people from both sides were injured in the clash. Later, the leaders of the district youth wing cut short the meeting and left the scene with the help of law enforcement.

Several local residents, on condition of anonymity, said that during the clash between the two sides, there was a practice of using indigenous weapons and a cocktail explosion, which spread panic among the people. The traders in the market closed their shops out of fear. Later, the army and police members brought the situation under control.

Anan Ullah Chowdhury, member secretary of the Abul Kalam faction’s Upazila Youth Wing, told the media in the evening, “They attacked our leaders and activists to disrupt the pre-scheduled organizational meeting. But in the end, our meeting was successful. They were accompanied by external terrorists who infiltrated the party. Several of our leaders and activists were injured. Many motorcycles were set on fire and vandalized. We are sitting on these issues. Full details will be provided later.’

Masudul Alam (Bachchu), former general secretary of the Upazila Jubo Dal, who is Azim’s follower, said, ‘Most of the BNP leaders and activists in Manoharganj are with Azim Bhai. Although the leaders of the district Jubo Dal were supposed to hold an organizational meeting with both sides, they forbade us at one stage. Most of the people they brought to the meeting were hybrids. None of them were on the field during the party’s difficult times. So when the leaders and activists got angry and took out a procession, the people of the Kalam group tried to attack our leaders and activists. However, in the end, their meeting was disrupted in the face of gunfire from our leaders and activists. Several of our leaders and activists were injured in the incident.’

When asked, Farid Uddin (Shiblu), member secretary of the Comilla South District Jubo Dal, said, the meeting was not disrupted, it was shortened. After talking in detail with the members of their organizational party, organizational action will be taken against those involved in the incident.

Manoharganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Bipul Chandra Dey said around 7:30 pm that the situation is calm now. After receiving information about the tension between the leaders and workers of both parties, the army and police members went to the spot and maintained order. No party has complained about the incident yet. Action will be taken after investigation if any complaint is received.
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