15 injured in BNP-Gono Odhikar clash in Galachipa

At least 15 people, including a woman, were injured in a clash between supporters of BNP and Gono Odhikar Parishad in Galachipa upazila of Patuakhali district on Thursday night.

The incident occurred around 9pm at Dakshin Kupalbera intersection in Charshiba village under Charkazal union allegedly over an argument about who would get the party nomination—BNP leader Hasan Mamun or Gona Odhikar President Nurul Haque Nur, popularly known as VP Nur.

The injured BNP men were identified as Charshiba ward Jubo Dal organizing secretary Ilias Rarhi, members Sabuj Rarhi, Nur Nabi Rarhi, Hasan Rarhi, Kuddus Bepari, Yakub Rarhi, Omar Rarhi, Rahan Rarhi and Soleman Rarhi.

The injured Gona Odhikar men are Ward  Jubo Odhikar general secretary Md Sohel Khalifa, activists Azmir Khalifa, Shahabul Khalifa, Amena Begum, Naeem Khalifa and Nabin Khalifa.

The injured from both sides were admitted to the upazila health complex.

Locals said the Gono Odhikar organised a meeting in Kupalbera Bazar on Thursday evening to form a ward committee, with activists joining from different areas on motorcycles.

Meanwhile, BNP activists under Charkazal union unit brought out a procession to greet BNP central executive committee member Hasan on the eve of the party's 'National Revolution and Solidarity Day' on November 7.

After both events concluded, the two groups encountered each other at Dakshin Kupalbera intersection where an argument broke out over who would get the nomination in the area.

The altercation soon turned into a clash, leaving at least 15 people injured.

Injured Jubo Dal leader Ilias claimed that they were returning home after a welcome procession for Hasan when Gono Odhikar activists suddenly attacked them.

They (Gono Odhikar) earlier invited BNP supporters to their meeting but he told them not to go since they would follow Hasan's directives, Ilias said.

They started saying Hasan would not get the nomination, that it would go to Nurul and then attacked them, he alleged.

Amena Begum, mother of injured Gona Odhikar activist Azmir, said her son was assaulted by BNP men near their home as he returned from the party meeting.

"When I ran to save him, they hit me too," she said.

Aminul Islam Nur, vice president of Dhaka North Jubo Odhikar Parishad and brother of Nur, said the BNP men attacked their supporters after their procession.

They were trying to spread fear so that no one joins their party, he said, adding that Hasan's supporters are agitated as he might not get the nomination.

BNP leader Hasan said they heard about the incident but were still gathering details.

He urged the police to conduct an investigation and take action against those responsible.

Officer-in-charge Md Ashadur Rahman of Galachipa Police Station said police had been deployed immediately after the clash.

"The two sides belong to rival families with prior disputes over local influence. Both groups were injured and taken to hospital," he said, adding that no written complaint has been filed yet.