Armed Clashes Erupt Between Rival BNP Factions in Sitakunda During Anniversary Celebrations
Photo Collected
SITAKUNDA, Bangladesh — Violent clashes erupted between two rival factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Sitakunda, Chittagong, on Tuesday as party members gathered to mark the organization’s founding anniversary. The confrontation, which involved the brandishing of firearms and the detonation of crude bombs, prompted a police investigation and a search for identified suspects.
The conflict took place near the Hasan Gomosta Mosque area in Sitakunda municipal headquarters around 1:00 p.m. Witnesses and widely circulated social media footage depicted men wielding firearms while charging at opposing groups. The violence involved supporters of Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin, a former joint convener of the Chittagong North District BNP, and loyalists of former joint secretary general Aslam Chowdhury.
Tensions had been simmering for two days leading up to the event, as both factions insisted on hosting anniversary programs at the same venue, the Moon Star Club. In an effort to maintain order, local police mandated separate time slots for the groups, but the situation deteriorated before those schedules could be followed. Supporters of Aslam Chowdhury had gathered at the club as early as 9:00 a.m., while the Salahuddin faction established a presence near the mosque.
When the Aslam Chowdhury faction arrived at the mosque area with a procession, witnesses reported multiple crude bomb blasts and the vandalism of three minibuses. Following the initial clash, supporters of Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin staged a protest by blocking both lanes of the highway in the Bashbaria area. Police later intervened to clear the blockade, restoring traffic flow after approximately one hour of disruption.
Both political leaders have traded accusations, with each side claiming the other utilized “external terrorists” to incite the violence. Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin asserted that his faction had secured prior administrative and police approval for their event, only to be ambushed by his rival’s supporters armed with sharp weapons and explosives. Conversely, Mohammad Morsalin, a chief election agent for Aslam Chowdhury, denied the allegations, maintaining that his group did not engage in bombings or attacks and was instead the target of aggression by Salahuddin’s followers.
Additional Superintendent of Police for the Chittagong District, Mohammad Rasel, confirmed that law enforcement has identified at least one of the armed individuals caught on video.
“We have identified one of the armed men,” Rasel said. “Operations are currently underway to arrest him. No one found carrying weapons will be spared.”
Sitakunda Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Mohammad Alamgir confirmed that officers successfully dispersed the protesters from the highway after the blockade halted vehicle movement for nearly an hour. Authorities remain on high alert as the investigation continues.
0%
0%
0%
0%
