A clash erupted between two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) over control of a truck stand in Bauphal, Patuakhali. At least 10 people were injured in the incident. Among them, Mohammad Abu Taher (27) sustained serious injuries and has been referred to Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital for treatment.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening in the Kalaiya Truck Stand area of the upazila.
Two factions of BNP, led by local Daspara Union BNP president Ali Azam Chowdhury and BNP leader and the general secretary of the Stand Management Committee, Arif Hossain, clashed over the control of the truck stand in Kalaiya. Following the incident, Arif Hossain, the general secretary of the Kalaiya Truck Stand Management Committee, filed a written complaint at the Bauphal Police Station, naming 21 individuals.
According to the doctors at the Upazila Health Complex’s emergency department, the injured Abu Taher (27) has three fingers of his right hand injured, with one of the fingers being severely cut and hanging from the skin. He has been sent to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
Sources within the party and eyewitnesses revealed that recently, Ali Azam’s supporters attempted multiple times to take control of the office and stand. On Saturday at 11 a.m., Azam’s people went to the office and stand armed with local weapons and sticks, attempting to seize control. Arif and his supporters resisted, and a verbal altercation escalated into a violent confrontation. During the chaos, at least 10 people were injured from brickbats and other assaults.
On Sunday morning, Ali Azam’s supporters took control of the office and stand. Later in the evening, when Arif, along with his group, went to reclaim the stand, they were attacked by Azam’s people. This led to a clash between the two factions, resulting in at least 10 people being injured, including Abu Taher and Soharab Pyaeda.
The general secretary of the Stand Management Committee, Mohammad Arif Hossain, stated, “Ali Azam has no legal documents to back his claims. He has forcefully taken control of the stand. When we went there, Azam’s people attacked and beat up our people, injuring them. We have requested legal assistance from the authorities.”
Ali Azam Chowdhury denied his involvement, stating that his supporters were not connected to the incident. He also accused Arif of being a former bodyguard of a Youth League leader and of infiltrating BNP to undermine the party and discredit him and BNP with the agenda of the Awami League.
Sources revealed that from December 1, 2024, the Kalaiya Truck Stand Agency office was given a new committee for the next three years. The 26-member committee’s president is Ashraf Hossain, and the general secretary is Mohammad Arif Hossain.
Bauphal Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Kamal Hossain told Liberty News that police were sent to the site after receiving the information. The situation is under control, and the first written complaint has been filed by one faction. Action will be taken after an investigation.
LND/MHS
