Several injured as BNP factions clash in Satkhira amid Section 144
According to sources, tension has been prevailing in Shyamnagar over the formation of the upazila and municipality committees of BNP for the last couple of days
Several people were reportedly injured as two BNP factions clashed in Satkhira defying a Section 144 imposed in the area earlier amid rising tension over the formation of two local committees of the party.
The clash took place at the upazila's Bangshipur area this afternoon (22 January), said police and local administration.
"The clash happened over a dispute regarding the committee of BNP. No group has filed a written complaint. Several people were injured," said Shyamnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir Mollah told The Business Standard.
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"The situation was normal. However, a sporadic incident happened while the members of the rival groups were returning home in the evening. The situation is under control now," Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rony Khatun said.
Earlier at around 4:30pm, the administration in Satkhira's Shyamnagar upazila imposed Section 144 in the area following a tense situation caused by two rival groups of the BNP.
"Initially Section 144 was issued in the municipal area from 3:30pm till evening. Later, it was decided that the restriction will remain in force until further orders. During this time, any political party's meetings and processions will be closed in the municipal area," said UNO Rony.
Locals said tension has been prevailing in Shyamnagar over the formation of the upazila and municipality committees of BNP for the last couple of days.
Amid this tension, Member Secretary of Satkhira BNP Abdul Alim cancelled both committees yesterday (21 January).
Since then, the situation has become even tenser between the groups led by Abdul Wahed, president of the cancelled upazila committee, and Solaiman Kabir, general secretary of the committee, according to locals.
On Wednesday, the followers of Solaiman called for a peace rally at the Bus Terminal area of the district, which was confronted by Wahed's followers, which exacerbated the situation.
Abdul Wahed did not received calls from TBS seeking comment regarding the clash.
