A bitter internal feud between local lawmaker Roknuddin Babul and his brother, Jahangir Alam, has split the Kaliganj Upazila unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) into two warring factions, severely embarrassing and hindering local administration and law enforcement.
The long-standing sibling rivalry boiled over into the streets of Kaliganj on June 11 following the police arrest of an individual named Ramzan Ali.
Supporters of Jahangir Alam, led by Upazila BNP joint conveners Azad Babu and Mukta, staged a human chain and protest procession demanding the immediate removal of Kaliganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abu Siddique. The faction labeled the OC an "ally of the Awami League," accusing him of corruption, bribery, and harboring drug syndicates.
According to police sources, however, the arrested Ramzan Ali—who is a relative of Jahangir—was detained over his active digital links to a WhatsApp communications group run by local Awami League Vice President Principal Azizar Rahman.
Barely an hour after Jahangir’s faction cleared the streets, a counter-procession and road blockade were launched by supporters loyal to MP Roknuddin Babul. Led by Upazila BNP joint convener Shamsuzzaman Sabuj, this rival group fiercely defended the police action and branded their own party peers—Jahangir's faction—as Awami League conspirators trying to sabotage the BNP from within.
The open hostility between the two BNP factions has left local government officials and police officers caught in the crossfire. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, several administrative officials confessed to being deeply embarrassed and stressed by the constant political tug-of-war, which routinely disrupts their daily public service duties.
Lalmonirhat Superintendent of Police (SP) Md. Asaduzzaman acknowledged the operational challenges created by the political divide. "The factional division makes field policing difficult. No matter what action we take, one side becomes unhappy and accuses the police of bias or seeking unfair advantages. While these political tags are personally disheartening, our officers will not compromise their morals. We remain dedicated to serving the public," the SP stated.
Senior politician and former BNP lawmaker Salehuddin Helal expressed deep concern over the ongoing chaos. "We have a tough national challenge ahead of us. This prolonged internal conflict is highly undesirable. The party high command must step in and take immediate disciplinary action to resolve this dispute," Helal urged.
