At least 20 people injured in a violent clash that broke out between two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the Sattarghat area of Raozan in Chattogram on Tuesday afternoon.
Among the injured was Chittagong North District BNP convener Golam Akbar Khandakar, who suffered a gunshot wound.
The incident occurred as Golam Akbar was going to Sultanpur to visit the grave of former Upazila BNP President Mohiuddin Ahmed.
At the same time, supporters of BNP Vice Chairman Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury were holding a motorcycle procession in the area for a public rally commemorating the anniversary of the mass uprising. When the two sides encountered each other, violence erupted.
Eyewitnesses and sources from both factions reported that the confrontation quickly escalated. Golam Akbar’s convoy was attacked, and his motorcycle was set on fire while his car was vandalized.
Several leaders and activists traveling with him were also injured during the clash.
Among the injured were – Raozan Upazila unit BNP General Secretary Anwar Hossain, former General Secretary Nasim Uddin Chowdhury, and several leaders of the Juba Dal and Chhatra Dal. Golam Akbar Khandakar’s personal assistant, Arjun Kumar Nath, also sustained injuries.
Reports from Golam Akbar’s supporters suggested that the violence was instigated by followers of Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury, who allegedly launched the attack on their group.
Arjun Kumar Nath confirmed that Khandakar was shot during the attack, with the bullet grazing his neck. He was quickly taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for treatment.
Following the attack, Golam Akbar’s supporters staged a protest procession at the scene, and the situation in Raozan remains tense. Law enforcement agencies have increased their presence in the area to prevent further violence.
Raozan Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Monirul Islam Bhuiyan said, “Both groups were heading in opposite directions when they encountered each other. Our forces intervened and brought the situation under control.”
Golam Akbar himself claimed that he had received prior warnings of an impending attack, though he did not believe it at first. He said, “I informed the law enforcement agencies in advance, and they assured me everything would be fine. But as soon as we crossed Sattarghat Bridge, around 50-60 people started throwing bricks and stones at us.”
BNP Vice Chairman Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury denied any knowledge of the attack, stating, “I have been sick for the past week, so I don’t know anything about the incident.”
However, a follower of Quader Chowdhury, Raozan Upazila BNP Joint Convener Firoz Ahmed, claimed that the attack was a “planned effort to disrupt the programme for the anniversary of the July-August mass uprising.” He accused Golam Akbar’s faction of hiring “terrorists” from Fatikchhari to carry out the attack.
This latest clash is part of a growing political divide within the BNP, with factions loyal to different leaders engaging in violent confrontations.
Over the past year, Raozan has witnessed 13 murders, including 10 political killings, with more than 300 people injured in political violence. Tensions between rival BNP factions have led to over 100 clashes in the area since last August.