19 Detained After Clash Between Two BNP Groups in Ishwardi

Neither party has filed a case yet in the clash, vandalism and arson between two BNP groups in Ishwardi, Pabna. However, 19 people have been detained for questioning in the incident.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Imbardi Police Station Md. Mominuzzaman gave this information on Tuesday (March 24) afternoon.

He said that despite repeated requests, no party has yet submitted a complaint. A case will be entered as soon as the complaint is submitted. And 19 people have been detained for questioning in this incident so far. Verification is underway to determine whether they were involved in this disturbance.

Earlier, on Monday, a clash took place between Pabna district BNP convener Habibur Rahman Habib and the former member secretary of the Upazila Volunteer Party Mehedi Hasan Group. Mehedi Hasan is the younger brother of BNP rebel candidate Zakaria Pintu.

Police and eyewitnesses said that the charges of seriously injuring Abdul Rouf, the president of Ishwardi Municipality Ward 4 Jubo Dal, a supporter of BNP rebel candidate Zakaria Pintu, were filed against former president of Upazila Chhatra Dal Imrul Kayes Sumon, a supporter of Habib. Later, a case was filed at the police station against Mehedi Hasan, the former member secretary of Upazila Swechchhasebak Dal, brother of Zakaria Pintu, after Imrul Kayes Sumon's office was vandalized. Mehedi Hasan held a press conference on the incident and claimed that the case was false. On the same day, leaders and activists of Habib Group held a press conference to protest against beatings, attacks, vandalism, and extortion in different areas. After the press conference, both sides took out processions, resulting in clashes between the two groups. At this time, Ishwardi Municipality became a battlefield.

At one stage of the conflict, Habibur Rahman Habib's election office was vandalized. During this time, 15 motorcycles were vandalized and 6 were burned by Mehedi Hasan Group. At least 30 leaders and activists from both sides, including police officers, were injured in the incident.

They have been admitted to various hospitals including Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex.