Staff Correspondent :
Violence stemming from intra-party rivalry over BNP’s parliamentary nominations has continued to escalate, with clashes erupting in multiple districts including Faridpur and Joypurhat, leaving scores injured and several vehicles torched.
In Faridpur’s Boalmari upazila, a fierce battle broke out on Friday afternoon between supporters of two BNP leaders — Krishak Dal Vice-President Khandaker Nasirul Islam and former Boalmari Upazila BNP Joint Secretary Shamsuddin Mia Jhunu — both vying for the party’s nomination in Faridpur-1 constituency, which covers Boalmari, Alfadanga, and Madhukhali.
According to Boalmari Police Station chief Mahmudul Hasan, the clash transformed Boalmari municipality, WAPDA intersection, and nearby areas into a battleground for nearly ninety minutes. Witnesses said supporters of both camps began gathering in separate areas around 3pm before marching toward the municipality. When the two groups met, they began hurling brickbats and attacking each other with sticks and crude weapons.
Outnumbered, Shamsuddin’s supporters retreated near Harun Shopping Complex, where violence intensified. At least 15 motorcycles were set on fire, while several shops and Shamsuddin’s local office were vandalised and looted. Fire Service and Civil Defence teams rushed to the scene but had to pull back temporarily after being attacked.
Local officials — including Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tanvir Hasan Chowdhury and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Shibbir Ahmed — attempted to intervene but were forced to retreat as clashes escalated.
The violence left at least 20 people injured, including three police officers. Army personnel were later deployed to restore order, and the Fire Service eventually managed to douse the flames.
Both factions traded blame over the attack.
Shamsuddin alleged, “We were holding a permitted programme at WAPDA intersection when Nasirul’s supporters, along with Awami League activists, suddenly attacked us. They set fire to 10 motorcycles, vandalised my office, and even desecrated Begum Khaleda Zia’s portrait.”
Nasirul, however, denied the accusation, claiming, “I was in Madhukhali when our supporters were attacked first. One of them was stabbed, and several others were injured. The public retaliated after they were assaulted from Harun Shopping Complex.”
Police chief Mahmudul Hasan said, “The clashes involved arson, vandalism, and looting. We have reinforced patrols, and the situation is now under control.”
A similar incident was reported in Joypurhat on Thursday, where two BNP factions also clashed over party nominations, leaving several injured. Local sources said the altercation erupted after supporters of two potential nominees tried to take control of the district BNP office ahead of the party’s final candidate list.
The BNP had announced 238 candidates earlier this week but withheld nominations in several key constituencies, including Faridpur-1, sparking tension and rivalry among local aspirants.
With the general election expected in February, party insiders fear that nomination-related unrest could spread further if the leadership fails to manage grassroots discontent.
