Podium vandalised, bombs exploded

A faction of BNP Ishwardi upazila unit yesterday foiled the programme arranged by their rival group to observe the 31st death anniversary of president Ziaur Rahman, the founder of BNP.
Police and local BNP sources said Ishwardi municipality Mayor Mokhlesur Rahman Bablu-led faction was holding a discussion and doa mehfil on a field near the upazila BNP office in the morning.
Suddenly, a group of BNP men belonging to another faction led by upazila BNP President Shamsuuddin Malikha attacked the venue, vandalised the podium and exploded several bombs.
Bablu alleged that their rivals led by Zakaria Pintu, a member of the upazila unit, vandalised the meeting venue. They also exploded bombs during the attack, he added.
Shamsuuddin Malikha led faction denied the allegation. They also held a discussion and doa mehfil on Zia's death anniversary at the party office.
Contacted, Akbar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Ishwardi Police Station, said additional police have been deployed in the upazila town to avert any untoward situation.
Meanwhile, Pabna BNP district unit yesterday held its programme on the death anniversary of Ziaur Rahman at the residence BNP central leader Shimul Biswas at Zilapara in the town as rival faction had earlier captured the party office.
On Tuesday, leaders of the district and nine upazila units joined a meeting in Sirajganj town. Former state minister and BNP central leader Iqbal Hasan Mahamud Tuku convened the meeting to get informed about the preparations of the grassroots units to make June 11 central programme a success.