Staff Correspondent :
A factional dispute within the Chhatra Dal in Narayanganj’s Rupganj upazila led to a violent attack on a local party office on Thursday afternoon. Rival activists allegedly vandalized photographs of the Zia family and ransacked furniture, leaving eight Chhatra Dal members injured. The injured—identified as Sajjad, Siam, Jubayer, Abdullah, Sayem, Jubayer Shahriar Nasim, and Golam Maola Noyon—were taken to various hospitals for treatment. The incident occurred around 12:30 PM in the Horagaon Chairman Bari area of Golakandail Union’s Ward 8. Local sources and eyewitnesses reported that tensions had been escalating for an extended period between supporters of Ward-8 Chhatra Dal leader Sajjad Maola Bin Mizan and those aligned with fellow leader Rakib Hasan. Sajjad is associated with BNP Central Executive Committee member Kazi Moniruzzaman Monir, while Rakib Hasan is linked to another central committee member, Mustafizur Rahman Bhuiyan Dipu.
According to witnesses, a group of approximately 35 to 40 armed individuals launched a sudden assault on the Ward-8 Chhatra Dal office. The attack triggered a clash between the opposing groups and caused widespread panic in the surrounding area. Police later arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. Activists who claimed to have been attacked chanted slogans demanding justice in front of the police.
Sajjad Maola Bin Mizan alleged that on Wednesday night, the Ward-8 unit had organized a prayer gathering seeking the recovery of Begum Khaleda Zia, attended by Chhatra Dal leader Masudur Rahman. Later that night, he claimed, Rakib Hasan and his supporters came to the office and instructed them to remove a photograph of Kazi Moniruzzaman Monir and to vacate the premises.
Sajjad further claimed that the following day, Rakib Hasan along with individuals identified as Shahabuddin, Nazrul, Mosharaf, Babu, and Arif Bakul returned with a group armed with firearms and sharp weapons. They allegedly vandalized photographs of Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, and Kazi Moniruzzaman Monir, as well as damaging a television, furniture, and other property in the office. Sajjad and several others were reportedly beaten when they attempted to intervene. In response to the allegations, Rakib Hasan denied any involvement, describing the claims as “entirely false and fabricated.” He stated that the attack was carried out by local residents due to alleged “immoral activities” taking place inside the office. Following a visit to the scene, SI Anwar Hossain of the Bhulta Police Outpost said officers acted promptly after receiving reports of unrest and successfully restored order. He noted that further action would be taken upon receipt of a formal complaint.
