Clashes arise continually between two groups of the BNP over tender-related disputes. In Noakhali, one BNP faction attacked another twice over contract disputes. The first attack took place Tuesday night in the city’s Kazi Colony. In protest, a rally was held on Wednesday at the Press Club grounds, where another attack occurred. Three individuals were injured in the two events, one of them was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in critical condition.
Clashes arise continually:Â Mohammad Rubel Hossain (35), the General Secretary of Noakhali Municipality’s 4th Ward Workers’ Wing, is currently admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). According to family and party sources, M/s Rupali Construction, a local contracting firm, recently received a landfilling contract in the city’s Maijdee New Housing region. The firm’s owner, Mohammad Ismail, sold the project earlier this month for 8.5 million BDT to Abdul Karim Mukta, a former joint convener of the Volunteer Wing’s district branch. This resulted in a quarrel with the opposite faction.
According to Abdul Karim Mukta, on Monday morning, his men went to empty a pond in Kazi Colony to get dirt for the contractual work. At the time, Abu Naser’s followers, including Inu, Juwel (head of the Jubo Dal), and Wasim (leader of the Chhatra Dal), as well as 5-6 others, sought a bribe of 500,000 BDT. When he refused to pay, they departed. However, they returned about 3 p.m. and removed the drainage equipment. Mukta took possession of the equipment on Tuesday after striking an agreement with them.
Following this incident, around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, 60-70 people led by Municipal BNP President Abu Naser assaulted the excavator operator and pickup driver transporting soil, vandalizing equipment. When Mukta’s supporters attempted to intervene, violence erupted between the two groups. At least three persons were injured in the conflict. They were initially taken to Noakhali General Hospital for treatment. Among them, Rubel Hossain, a supporter of Mukta, was later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in critical condition.
Mukta submitted a written complaint with the Noakhali Superintendent of Police and the local army base on Tuesday night detailing the event.
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim Mukta created a human chain on the grounds of the Noakhali Press Club about 1 p.m. on Wednesday to protest the attack. While he was giving his speech, 40-50 young guys attacked with bricks, stones, and sticks. Journalists on the scene sought refuge inside the press club to defend themselves, but the attackers also threw bricks and stones at the structure. After receiving the news, Sudharam Model Police Station officers and district intelligence (DB) personnel went to the scene. Municipal BNP President Abu Naser denied the allegations, saying, “I have no knowledge of this incident. Abdul Karim Mukta is making false accusations against me out of envy. According to what I’ve heard, the dispute arose over landfilling work with boys from the Harinarayanpur neighborhood.”
Jasim Uddin, General Secretary of the BNP’s Sadar Upazila unit, also stated that the clash was caused by a commercial disagreement. However, he does not feel it was a party-related occurrence.
Mohammad Kamrul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Noakhali’s Sudharam Model Police Station, indicated that no formal reports had been submitted regarding the clash between the two BNP factions. However, police responded to allegations of a scuffle during the human chain at the Noakhali Press Club on Wednesday afternoon. No written complaint has been received regarding this incident.
Clashes arise continually… Clashes arise continually… Clashes arise continually.. Clashes arise continually
