1 killed, 14 injured as BNP factions clash, violating Section 144 in Ctg’s Mirsarai
The deceased was identified as Javed, 45
One person was killed and 14 BNP activists injured in a clash between two party factions over the formation of new party committees in Baraiyarhat municipality of Chattogram's Mirsharai upazila this afternoon (26 March).
The deceased has been identified as Javed, 45, of Nilgiri residential area, was a marketing officer at RFL Company. He was fatally stabbed during the clash, Sabbir Mohammad Selim, officer-in-charge (OC) of Jorarganj Police Station, told The Business Standard.
"The conflict arose due to disputes over the recently announced committees for Mirsarai upazila, the municipality, and the Baraiyarhat branch of the BNP," the OC said.
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The injured activists are Jasim Uddin Rasel Farazi, 45, senior vice-president of the upazila Muktijoddha Projanmo Dal; Elias, 65, from South Naherpur village; Didarul Alam, 40; Rasel, 50; Fazlul Karim, 43, from the Baraiyarhat area; Shahidul Islam, 51; Omar Faruk, 35; Didar, 30; Zahedul Islam, 42, from Chhatrua village in Karerhat Union; Abu Sufian, 40, from Alinagar village; Golam Morshed, 40, from Hasim Nagar in Maghadia Union; Fahim, 22, from Azampur in Osmanpur union; Ershad, 40, from NijKunjara in Feni; and Suman, 40, a Jubo Dal activist.
According to police, among the injured — Suman, Golam Morshed, Elias Hossain, and Rashed — have been transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for treatment. All the injured sustained wounds from sharp knife attacks.
Dr Razia Afrin, the on-duty physician at the Upazila Health Complex (Mastan Nagar), said a person was brought in around 2pm in a bloodied state.
"However, he had already died before reaching the hospital. There were stab wounds on his right arm and abdomen. Another 10 to 12 injured individuals received primary treatment," she added.
Locals said a highly tense situation developed between the two groups over the three committees. This morning, the newly formed committee, led by Convener Abdul Awal Chowdhury and Member Secretary Azizur Rahman Chowdhury, planned to pay homage by laying flowers at the upazila's central Shaheed Minar to mark Independence Day.
However, a rival faction led by Nurul Amin Chairman, joint convener of Chattogram North District BNP, opposed the new committee and had also planned to offer flowers at the same location.
Earlier, the administration had imposed Section 144 within 500 yards of the central Shaheed Minar in the upazila from 8:00am today to 8:00am tomorrow to prevent potential clashes between the rival BNP factions.
Despite the restrictions, supporters of Nurul Amin violated Section 144 and placed wreaths at the Shaheed Minar, triggering multiple rounds of clashes between the two groups.
Mahfuza Jerin, the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Mirsarai, said, "BNP activists were armed with sharp and lethal weapons. Intelligence reports had warned of a possible clash ahead of the 26 March programme, which led to the imposition of Section 144. Unfortunately, the factions still resorted to violence."
To restore order, additional police and army personnel have been deployed to the area, the UNO added.
