BNP factional clash leaves 10 hurt in Meherpur

MEHERPUR, May 23 (UNB): At least 10 people have been allegedly injured in a clash between two rival factions of the BNP over the formation of a union committee in Meherpur's Sadar upazila.

"The situation is currently calm, and additional police forces have been deployed to prevent further unrest," said Meherpur Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mejbah Uddin.

Supporters of Kamrul Hasan, member-secretary of the district BNP convening committee, claimed that six of their men were injured in the clash on Friday afternoon. The group led by former general secretary of BNP upazila unit Saiful Islam, who led a group, said three of their activists were also hurt.

The injured were taken to Meherpur 250-Bed General Hospital, and two of them were later referred to Kushtia Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

Local residents said the incident began when Kamrul was on his way to bi-annual conference of the Amjhupi Union BNP. As his motorcade passed through Amjhupi Bazar around 11:00 am, supporters of Saiful Islam tried to block the vehicles, sparking tensions between the groups.

Witnesses said members of the army and police rushed to the spot from the nearby army camp after being informed of the unrest. Law enforcers initially attempted to defuse the situation by suggesting the motorcade take an alternative route.

However, as the motorcade proceeded towards Gandharajpur via Amjhupi, both groups engaged in a violent clash.