15 injured as BNP factions clash over party meeting in Cumilla

At least 15 people were injured in a clash between two BNP factions in Chauddagram in Cumilla over a party meeting today (24 March).

The clash took place between followers of Cumilla South BNP leader Sajedur Rahman Molla Hiron, and the followers of Cumilla Jubodal's former organising secretary Tofael Hossain Jewel and Chauddagram BNP former president Md Kamrul Huda, according to BNP leaders.

The incident took place during a party meeting between Chauddagram upazila and the municipality unit of the BNP at the Chauddagram Bazar Municipality Auditorium this afternoon.

"Two factions of the BNP had an argument during an organisational meeting. The situation is calm now. No group has filed any complaint over the incident," Chauddagram Police Station Officer-in-Charge Hilal Uddin told The Business Standard.

Meanwhile, Tofael Hossain alleged that at the organisational meeting of the Chauddagram upazila BNP, Joint Convener of the district BNP Kamrul Huda set up a guard at the gate so that no other delegates could enter except his followers.

"When we tried to enter with our leaders and activists, they attacked us with various local weapons, including hockey sticks and Chinese axes. At least 15 of our leaders and activists were injured in the incident," he also claimed.

Comilla South BNP leader Hiron also made similar allegations.

"When I tried to enter the programme venue with other leaders and activists, they attacked me. They also attacked the leaders and activists," he said.

Chauddagram BNP leader Kamrul Huda, however, denied the allegations brought against him.

"Outside the auditorium, there was a scuffle over the seat arrangement for leaders and activists and carrying banners and festoons. No clashes occurred inside the auditorium," he said.