UP Bangladesh member killed in Mirsharai BNP factional clash

A member of United People's Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh) was killed in a clash between two factions of the BNP in Mirsarai, Chattogram last night (10 December).

The victim, Gazi Tahmid Khan, 20, was a former organiser of the Student Against Discrimination's (SAD) Chattogram North unit and a member of UP Bangladesh. Locals said he had recently become involved in Baraiyarhat Municipality Chhatra Dal activities and regularly took part in BNP programmes.

Kazi Nazmul Haque, officer-in-charge (OC) of Zorarganj Police Station said, "There was an altercation and a chase-and-counter-chase among BNP activists on Wednesday evening. Several people were injured. Later, Tahmid died under treatment. No case has been filed yet. Necessary legal action will be taken after an investigation."

Tahmid's body has been kept in the Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) morgue for autopsy, after which it will be handed over to his family, the OC added.

According to police and locals, a milad mahfil was held on Wednesday evening at Baraiyarhat South Municipal Market by the Chhatra Dal, seeking the recovery of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Tahmid attended the programme.

Earlier in the afternoon, an argument broke out between two BNP leaders over occupying seats at a shop in Baraiyarhat. After the milad programme, both groups confronted each other at Baraiyarhat Traffic Mor, where a violent clash erupted. During the altercation, Tahmid was stabbed and critically injured.

He was first taken to Baraiyarhat General Hospital and later shifted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital as his condition deteriorated. He died there while undergoing treatment.

BNP's nominated candidate for the constituency, Nurul Amin, denied that the killing resulted from internal party conflict.

"This was not an intra-party issue. A dispute arose between our activist and local BNP leader and restaurant owner Nazrul Islam over placing a foot on a seat. The argument escalated into a clash between two villages, during which Tahmid was killed," he said.

SAD condemned the killing, calling it "a manifestation of Bangladesh's long-standing culture of political violence."

In a Facebook statement, the organisation said, "Gazi Tahmid Khan, a July fighter, former Chattogram North organiser of our movement and a member of UP Bangladesh, has died while undergoing treatment at CMCH following injuries from the BNP factional clash. We strongly condemn this tragic incident."

In response to the killing, UP Bangladesh announced a protest rally at 7pm today, demanding justice and the immediate arrest of those responsible.