BNP factions clash over fabric scrap collection in Gazipur

A clash broke out this afternoon (6 February) between two BNP factions in front of a factory in Ward 14 of Gazipur Metropolitan City, under the Basan police station, over the collection of fabric scraps from the factory.

During the incident, five motorcycles parked in front of the factory were set on fire, and nearby shops and houses were attacked. The police later arrived and brought the situation under control.

According to local sources, Basan Thana BNP President Tanvir Siraj lives in the Kodda area, about 10km from Manal Fashion Limited, the factory he has been trying to collect fabric scraps from over the past few days. However, another BNP faction, along with Jubo Dal leaders and activists, and local residents, had been opposing his actions.

According to the police, around noon, Taslim Siraj, Tanvir Siraj's younger brother (a former Awami League leader), went to the factory with about fifty ward BNP leaders and activists loyal to him to collect discarded fabric scraps.

At the same time, Sirajul Haque, a former member of the Gazipur Metropolitan BNP convening committee, along with Ward 14 Jubo Dal President Nazmul Hossain, General Secretary Sarwar, other BNP activists, and local residents, tried to stop them.

This led to a chase between the two groups. During the clash, the factory's front CCTV cameras were damaged, five motorcycles were set on fire, and nearby shops and houses were attacked.

However, former BNP leader Sirajul Haque, said, "I was not at the scene when the incident happened. I was in Dhaka at the time and have no involvement in it."

He continued, "I've heard that around fifty people, led by Ward 14 BNP president Ataur, supported Tanvir Siraj and went inside the factory with several vehicles to collect fabric scraps. Residents saw this, and the BNP-Jubo Dal members who had been collecting fabric scraps earlier opposed them.

"At that point, Tanvir's supporters threw crude bombs, causing panic in the area. Later, an angry crowd set fire to several motorcycles parked near the factory. The police eventually arrived and brought the situation under control."

Ward 14 Jubo Dal president Nazmul Hossain said, "The factory authorities had been telling people for a while that they would distribute the fabric scraps to residents. However, Tanvir Siraj and his group tried to forcibly take the scraps. When the locals resisted, they were attacked. During the clash, Tanvir Siraj's men also set several motorcycles on fire."

Factory manager Hamidul Haque Mostofa said, "There was no official agreement with anyone to collect fabric scraps from our factory. Today, outside the factory, there was a chase between local leaders of a political party."

Residents claimed that since 5 August, "Tanvir Siraj has been creating fear in the area under the guise of the fabric scraps business."
Attempts were made to contact Basan Thana BNP president Tanvir Siraj for his statement, but he did not answer the calls.

Gazipur Metropolitan BNP General Secretary Manjurul Karim Rony said, "I have heard about it. We have a zero-tolerance policy for illegal occupation or law-and-order violations. Our acting chairman has instructed party leaders and activists to avoid such actions. Anyone found involved in these incidents will face organisational action."

Basan police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kaiser Ahmed said, "When we received news of the clash, our team arrived and brought the situation under control. No formal complaint has been filed yet. If a complaint is received, legal action will be taken."