Case filed over weapons display during BNP anniversary programme

Police have filed a case over clashes, chase-and-counter-chase incidents and the public display of firearms during a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) programme marking the party’s founding anniversary in Sitakunda, Chattogram.

Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

The case was filed on Wednesday, eight days after the incident, by Idris Ali, a sub-inspector of Sitakunda Model Police Station.

According to police, 24 people have been named in the case, while another 140-150 unidentified individuals have also been accused.

The arrested suspects are Sadequ, 29, Kamrul Hasan, 39, Hanif, 34, and Ripon, 32.

Sitakunda Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohinul Islam said the accused were identified after police examined photographs and video footage of the clashes and alleged weapons display.

Police have already recovered one of the firearms seen during the incident, while efforts are underway to locate the others, the OC said.

The violence took place on September 1 in Sitakunda municipality during BNP programmes marking the party’s founding anniversary. Supporters of two rival BNP factions clashed several times, with reports of firearms being displayed, cocktails being exploded and vehicles being vandalised.

The two groups are reportedly aligned with BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Aslam Chowdhury and former joint convener of the BNP’s Chattogram North District unit Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin.

Tensions had been building for several days over plans by the two groups to hold anniversary programmes at the same venue and time. Police had allowed the factions to hold separate programmes at different times to prevent confrontation.

However, the groups came face to face on the day of the programme, triggering clashes. At one point, supporters of one faction blocked the Dhaka Chattogram highway in the Bashbaria area, disrupting traffic.

Images and videos showing individuals displaying firearms in public later circulated widely on social media, drawing considerable attention to the incident.

Police said action would be taken against those involved in creating fear and insecurity among the public.

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