Eight injured in clash between rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party factions in Munshiganj

SREENAGAR, Munsiganj — Violent clashes erupted between two rival factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the Sreenagar Upazila of Munsiganj on Tuesday, leaving at least 8 to 10 people injured. The altercation occurred near the Jamjam Tower area at approximately 10:30 a.m. as supporters gathered to observe the party’s founding anniversary.

The conflict stems from a long-standing internal power struggle within the Munsiganj-1 constituency branch of the BNP. One faction is led by Mir Sarafat Ali, the party’s central secretary for volunteer affairs, while the opposing group is composed of loyalists to local Member of Parliament Sheikh Abdullah and is led by Upazila BNP General Secretary Hafizul Islam Khan. Tensions between the two factions have escalated since the last parliamentary election, when both leaders vied for the party nomination.

Witnesses reported that the violence broke out when Sarafat Ali’s supporters gathered near Jamjam Tower for a scheduled procession. A confrontation ensued when supporters of Hafizul Islam Khan passed through the area, leading to a heated argument that quickly devolved into a physical brawl involving sticks and stone-pelting. The skirmish resulted in widespread disruption, including the vandalism of several motorcycles.

Medical officials at the Sreenagar Upazila Health Complex confirmed that four individuals were treated for head and bodily injuries between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., with two patients requiring CT scans for severe head trauma. One supporter, identified as Suman, was reportedly transferred to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) in Dhaka for specialized care.

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Law enforcement agencies, including the police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), were deployed to the scene to restore order. Sreenagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jewel Mia stated that officers arrived promptly to disperse the opposing groups and maintain calm. Despite reports of police involvement, authorities claimed that no formal complaints had been filed by either faction and denied reports that any police personnel were injured during the incident.

Representatives for both factions have traded blame for the outbreak of violence. Kazi Shahed, a supporter of Mir Sarafat Ali, alleged that their group was targeted by 30 to 35 armed individuals loyal to Hafizul Islam Khan. Conversely, Hafizul Islam Khan denied the allegations, asserting that he was attending a television interview at the time and claimed that his supporters, including local market vendors and Youth Wing members, were the actual victims of an unprovoked attack.

Security remains heightened in the area as local law enforcement continues to monitor the situation to prevent further unrest.