Desk Report,
BNP event canceled after clashes in Rajshahi, stage remains empty
The stage where the BNP was supposed to celebrate its founding anniversary in Godagari, Rajshahi, is now empty. Police are sitting behind it. The anniversary program is no longer being held after Section 144 was imposed on Tuesday afternoon due to a clash between the two parties.
BNP event canceled after clashes in Rajshahi, stage remains empty
A clash broke out in front of the party office at Daingpara intersection in the upazila’s sadar over the organization of the founding anniversary program of the two parties of the BNP. In this incident, the leader of one of the parties filed a case with Godagari police station last night. The upazila administration has imposed Section 144 in the area, banning meetings and gatherings.
The two feuding parties are led by Major General (retd) Sharif Uddin, advisor to the BNP chairperson and a candidate for the party’s nomination in the next national elections, and Sultanul Islam, a member of the upazila BNP. The clash took place between their followers yesterday afternoon. Seven leaders and activists of Sharif Uddin’s party were injured in the incident. Among them are Upazila BNP Vice President Nasir Uddin, Organizing Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, Upazila Jubo Dal Convener Masud Rana and Municipal Jubo Dal Convener Mahbubur Rahman (Biplob). According to party sources, on the occasion of the founding anniversary of BNP, both parties announced a program at the same place next to the party office in Godagari Upazila Sadar. There was tension over the issue since yesterday morning. At around 4 pm, leaders and workers of the two parties started throwing bricks at each other. At one stage, the clash started, which lasted for about two hours. At this time, panic spread in the Upazila Sadar. Later, the police brought the situation under control.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Faisal Ahmed imposed Section 144 in Godagari Upazila Sadar due to the deterioration of the law and order situation and fear of loss of life and property. He said at around 11 am today that Section 144 will be in force in the upazila headquarters from 5 pm yesterday to 12 midnight today to maintain law and order. The police are now on alert. The situation is normal. It has been seen on the ground that the stage that was built in front of the BNP party office at Daingpara intersection for the foundation anniversary ceremony is empty. A huge arch was built on the Rajshahi-Chapainawabganj highway. This preparation was made by the Chairperson’s advisor Sharif Uddin. That arch is still there. The stage is still there. There are no people there. The police are sitting on the balcony of the party office behind the stage. The army was seen patrolling the upazila headquarters around 11:30 am.
Regarding this, the leader of the faction of Upazila BNP member Sultanul Islam and former president of Godagari Municipality BNP, Mojibur Rahman, told Prothom Alo that they wanted both parties to hold the ceremony at two places, then there would be no problem. But Sharif Uddin’s party wanted to hold the event in front of the upazila office. They objected to this. They told the UNO office that a separate place should be designated; they would hold the program there. As soon as he came down from the UNO office, he heard that Sharif Uddin’s supporters had attacked the party office. They had vandalized chairs and benches. If one party attacked like this, the other party would not be able to sit.
Bedar Uddin, the convener of the upazila Chhatra Dal, has filed a case with the Godagari police station in this incident. He is a supporter of Sharif Uddin. Regarding the clash, he said that they were working to build a stage next to the party office at Daingpara intersection in the upazila with permission from the administration. Last Monday, people from Sultanul Islam’s party came and stopped them. That day, they were persuaded and sent back. Yesterday afternoon, they came and stopped them again. At one stage, they attacked Sharif Uddin’s supporters with country-made weapons. Several of their leaders were seriously injured in this. They are still undergoing treatment in the hospital.
Former BNP municipal president Mojibur Rahman has been named as the main accused in the case. A total of 36 leaders and activists have been named in the case, while 40 others have been named as unknown accused.
Godagari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ruhul Amin said that police have been deployed at the scene and its surroundings. The police are on alert to prevent any kind of mischief. The police are investigating and taking legal action.
