Five shot among 10 injured as BNP factions clash over UP polls  in M’ganj

MUNSHIGANJ, Nov 12: At least 10 people were injured, including five with bullet wounds, in a clash between two factions of the BNP over establishing dominance ahead of the upcoming Union Parishad (UP) elections in Mollakandi Union of Munshiganj Sadar Upazila.

The clash, involving gunfire and crude bomb explosions, continued intermittently from Wednesday night until Thursday morning, triggering panic among residents.

According to locals and police, the violence began around 11:30pm on Wednesday in Noadda village between supporters of Awlad Molla, vice-president of the Mollakandi Union BNP, and Rahim Molla, a BNP activist living in France.

Following the night's incident, the two groups engaged in repeated attacks and counterattacks in Rajarchar, Kangspura and Natun Amghata villages until Thursday morning.

Frequent crude bomb explosions and gunfire spread panic across the area.

The five bullet-hit victims were identified as Didar Dhali, Borhan Sikder, Didar Sardar, Rakib Sardar and Imran Hossain. They received initial treatment at Munshiganj General Hospital before being referred to Dhaka for better treatment. The other injured people were treated locally.

Didar Dhali, one of the injured, said several people were standing beside a dredger in the Noadda area on Wednesday night when supporters of Awlad Molla suddenly attacked them and opened fire, leaving five people injured by bullets.

The violence subsequently spread to neighbouring villages and continued until Thursday morning, he added.
Repeated attempts to contact Awlad Molla by phone for comment went unanswered. Rahim Molla also could not be reached for comment despite attempts to contact him through WhatsApp.

Munshiganj Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Taslim Uddin said the two groups had been involved in a longstanding dispute over establishing dominance ahead of the upcoming UP elections.

The clash was a fallout of that rivalry, he said, adding that police rushed to the scene after receiving information and brought the situation under control.

The situation in the area is now calm, the OC added.