The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP's) ‘activists' conference’ was foiled yesterday, as two rival groups clashed with each other over the chanting of slogans at the city’s Nasiman Bhaban around 3pm. The two groups follow BNP vice-chairman Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury and North District BNP convener Aslam Chowdhury respectively. At least 15 leaders and activists of the BNP and its organisations were injured in the clash.
The injured icluded Rustam Ali, vice-president of the Sitakunda municipality Chhatra Dal, Md Abir, organising secretary of the Sitakunda municipality Chhatra Dal, Md Younus, Salauddin, Md Kazjol, Nizam Uddin and Abu Araft. The identities of the others could not be immediately ascertained.
Dr Khandaker Mosharrraf Hossain, member of the BNP standing committee, was chief guest at the meeting. However, the meeting was shortened and he had to deliver a truncated speech.
An eyewitness said the two groups clashed even before the meeting started. At one stage, followers of these groups threw chairs and chased each other. This eventually resulted in the foiling of the meeting. “The untoward incident occurred because some followers of Aslam Chowdhury were overzealous in expressing their loyalty towards him. Some of them vandalised chairs and loudspeakers. About 10 activists of the BNP were injured. However, the chief guest, Khandaker Mosharrraf Hossain, succeeded in delivering a shortened speech. At least eight of our leaders and activists were injured,” said Abdullah Al Hasan, member secretary of the North District BNP and a follower of Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury.
When contacted, Kazi Salauddin, president of the Jubo Dal in North District and known to be a follower of Aslam Chowdury, said: “Some people, led by Yousuf Talukder of Raozan, carried out the attacks. They vandalised the loudspeakers. At least eight activists of Sitakunda upazila were injured.” BNP leaders Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury, Mahabubur Rahman Shamim, Golam Akbar Khandaker, Harun–Or- Rashid, Zafurul Islam Chowdhury and SM Fazlul Haque, among others, were present at the meeting.