BNP, Gono Odhikar activists clash in Patuakhali

The activists of BNP and Gono Odhikar Parishad clashed reportedly over a trivial matter in Galachipa upazila of Patuakhali last evening.

At least 30 people from both sides were injured and a local BNP office was vandalised, said locals.

The incident occurred around 7:00pm in Char Biswas union following chases and counter-chases between the two groups, said Galachipa Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Asadur Rahman.

The clash reportedly broke out when the Gono Odhikar Parishad organised a planned views-exchange meeting with local businessmen in front of their office near the Char Biswas Bazar. BNP's union office is adjacent to the office.

"As our meeting began, BNP activists started chanting provocative slogans that disrupted the programme," said Md Jewel, member secretary of the local unit of Gono Odhikar Parishad.

He claimed that activists led by Mofiz Uddin, president of the local Swechchhasebak Dal, engaged in a heated exchange with Gono Odhikar activists after they requested to postpone BNP's meeting by 30 minutes.

"Despite our plea, they gave us just 15 minutes to wrap up. When we didn't comply, they attacked us and beat up several of our members, including VP Nurul Haque Nur's younger brother Aminul Islam," said Jewel.

Among the injured were Aminul; Konok, president of Ward 2 Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, Jihad, general secretary of the same unit; Shamim, organising secretary of Ward 5, and several others, he added.

Aminul alleged that BNP supporters threw chairs at them and broke their own furniture to blame Gono Odhikar activists.

BNP, however, rejected the claims and accused Gono Odhikar supporters of launching an attack on them.

Char Biswas Union BNP President Bakher Bishwas said, "Our activists were holding a scheduled workers' meeting when suddenly they barged in, vandalised chairs, tables, and even broke the photo of our party chief.

He claimed that at least 20-25 BNP men were injured, including Maksud Khan, president of the local Krishak Dal, who was later sent to Barishal for advanced treatment.

Other injured BNP activists include Al-Amin and Mahiuddin Al-Muin, joint conveners of Swechchhasebak Dal; Tahsan Islam Naim, joint secretary of Chhatra Dal, Bappi, joint general secretary of BNP; Lokman, president of Ward 6 Swechchhasebak Dal; Shihab Khalifa, Hridoy Mamun, Zakir Boyati, Mohammad Mofiz, Soikat Dofadar, Mehedi, Torikul, and Shohel, among others.

                                OC Asadur Rahman said while the situation was under control, tensions remain high in the area. Additional forces were deployed to prevent further escalation.