Clash between two BNP factions in Satkhira: 12 injured, including Jamaat activists

In a violent clash between two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Satkhira, 12 people were injured, including three members of Jamaat-e-Islami. 

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening in Kashimari Bazaar, was the result of a long-standing dispute over dominance between the two factions.

The confrontation took place between supporters of Azizul Sardar, the former president of the BNP committee in Kashimari Union, and those of BNP activist Akhtar Faruk. 

Among the injured were Akhtar Faruk, Shahidullah, Rofikul Islam, Monzur Hossain, Shofikul Islam, Khokon Pakani, Helal, Masud, Al Mamun, Jamaat activist Tahur Mollah, Mizanur Rahman, and Abdur Rahman. 

Seven of the injured were taken to the upazila health complex for treatment.

Sources from both the conflicting parties and the local area revealed that the two factions had been at odds for a long time, primarily due to a power struggle in the region. 

Recently, Azizul’s supporters accused a few young men from Akhtar‍‍`s faction of being drug addicts, which sparked further tensions.

This disagreement reached a boiling point on Tuesday afternoon when Azizul‍‍`s supporters locked the local BNP office. 

When Akhtar arrived with some of his supporters to the scene, he was attacked. In retaliation, Akhtar‍‍`s supporters launched a counterattack on Azizul‍‍`s group. 

The police were soon called to the scene and managed to bring the situation under control.

According to local residents, some of the Jamaat activists joined the clash on Azizul’s side, partly due to family connections. 

Akhtar Faruk stated, “Azizul, along with Jamaat workers Jahur Mollah, Al Amin, and Rabiul, attacked me and my workers after we opposed the closing of the party office. When my supporters arrived, the situation escalated into a full-fledged fight.” 

Faruk claimed that he and 12 of his supporters were injured in the incident.

On the other hand, Azizul Sardar defended his actions, saying, "Akhtar Faruk’s people attacked my supporters, which led the local residents to respond in kind.” 

He went on to claim that 15 of his supporters had been injured. 

He also clarified that the Jamaat activists involved were not party members, but rather relatives who were involved in politics with another group.

Shyamnagar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Humayun Kabir, confirmed the situation was brought under control by a large number of police officers who arrived at the scene. 

He noted that neither faction had filed a formal complaint yet, though several injured individuals were receiving treatment at the health complex.

This clash has raised concerns about the growing tensions within the BNP, highlighting how local rivalries and internal party disputes can sometimes lead to violent outcomes.