Arson, vandalism rock Shariatpur following clash over ex-AL man joining BNP

Arson, vandalism and crude bomb explosions were reported in Shariatpur on Friday night (23 January) following a clash between two local BNP factions over a former Awami League leader joining the party.

Various houses were reportedly looted with three houses set on fire, nine others vandalised. The violence occurred in the Chargayghar area of Shariatpur Sadar upazila, under Shulpara union.

Confirming the incident, Officer-in-Charge of the Chikandi Police Outpost Golam Rasul said, "We are in the process of identifying those involved and bringing them under the law."

Additional patrolling has been deployed to keep the situation under control, he added.

Police have recovered three unexploded crude bombs from the site. No case has been filed yet in this connection.

"There is no place for violence before an election. Measures must be taken so that people can exercise their voting rights safely and freely at polling stations," said Saeed Ahmed Aslam, organisational secretary of the BNP district committee and nominated candidate for Shariatpur-1. 

Arson, vandalism and crude bomb explosions were reported in Shariatpur on Friday night (23 January)/ Collected

Sardar AKM Nasir Uddin Kalu, general secretary of the district BNP, said such incidents damage the party's image and emphasised that the perpetrators must be brought under the law and exemplary punishment ensured.

According to locals, Shulpara Union Parishad Chairman Bhashani Khan who is a former Awami League leader, along with his supporters, joined the BNP on 17 January. 

This move allegedly led to a conflict with a rival BNP faction led by Helal Uddin Akon, a central leader of the BNP's Krishak Dal in the union. 

Bhashani's nephew Shahjahan Khan said his uncle was previously with the Awami League. However, he did not participate in the election under their banner and was elected as an independent candidate. 

"Due to existing disagreements with the Awami League, Bhashani and his supporters joined the BNP. But Helal Uddin Akon could not accept this. Since then, a conflict developed between them," Shahjahan added.

"Seven days after joining the BNP, Bhashani went to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. Taking advantage of his absence, the attackers carried out a planned assault on his house and those of his supporters, looted properties, and set them on fire."