Nahid confined at Barishal Club amid SAD leadership dispute, escorted out by police

A chaotic scene unfolded at the Barishal Club auditorium last evening (20 March) as a three-way conflict within the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) disrupted a meeting led by Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party. 

Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Model Police Station, said police intervened after hearing a disturbance at the Barishal Club. 

"Upon arrival, police found protesters blocking the gate and subsequently facilitated the safe departure of Nahid Islam and others in three vehicles," he added.

The incident stemmed from accusations of arbitrary conduct against Shahidul Islam Shahed, convener of SAD's Barishal metropolitan committee, and SM Wahidur Rahman, member secretary of the district committee.

According to sources, following an iftar gathering, Nahid Islam convened a meeting with district and metropolitan committee members of SAD. However, general members voiced grievances regarding Shahed and Rahman's leadership, leading to a division into three factions and escalating arguments. 

Despite Nahid Islam's attempts to restore order via loudspeaker, the situation spiraled into a physical altercation, said SAD members who were present at the scene.

When Nahid Islam attempted to leave the meeting venue, he was met with a blockade at the Barishal Club's main gate, where protesters chanted slogans. 

Hridoy, a student activist, accused the Barishal district and metropolitan committees of being "fake," alleging they exploited injustices while falsely representing student interests. 

He stated their intention to expose these issues to Nahid Islam, but were prevented.

Jobayer Qayyum, a leader from the metropolitan committee, said Shahed and Rahman operated unilaterally, excluding other members from decision-making and benefits. 

He explained that the conflict, long simmering, intensified when their attempts to raise concerns were met with suppression, including being blocked from online communication groups. 

Qayyum stated that they only wanted five minutes to speak with Nahid Islam, but Shahed and Rahman obstructed them.

Rion, another activist, echoed these concerns, stating that central leaders favoured communication with Shahed and Rahman over general members, leading to their exclusion. 

He stressed that a brief meeting with Nahid Islam would have exposed alleged misconduct.

Shahidul Islam Shahed, metropolitan convener of SAD, said, "A group of intruders disrupted our programme with the intent to create chaos and systematically insulted Nahid Islam."

Following the incident, he said activists of SAD organised a protest march from the Amtala intersection in the city later that night.