Special Correspondent:
Tensions have reportedly intensified within the Austagram upazila unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) following a violent clash between two rival factions that left at least 50 people injured on September 25.
The clash reportedly took place between supporters of Austagram Upazila BNP President Syed Sayeed Ahmed and Organising Secretary S. M. Shaheen. Following the incident, a show-cause notice was reportedly issued to Sayeed Ahmed on September 27, asking him to explain his position within seven days.
The notice was signed by Advocate Mazharul Islam, general secretary of the Kishoreganj district BNP, according to local party sources.
The decision to issue a show-cause notice to only one side has triggered mixed reactions among local BNP leaders, activists and residents, with some questioning why both factions were not asked to explain their roles in the clash.
Attempts were made several times to contact the district BNP general secretary for comment, but he could not be reached.
Local inquiries suggest that Sayeed Ahmed, former central Chhatra Dal activist and former Upazila BNP convener Syed Faiyaz Hasan Babu, and Upazila BNP General Secretary Zakir Hossain Mukul have long been active in maintaining the party’s organisational activities in Austagram, according to their supporters.
Supporters of Sayeed Ahmed allege that S. M. Shaheen, who they claim remained relatively inactive during previous anti-government movements, became politically active after August 5 and subsequently contributed to divisions within the local BNP.
They have also alleged that a section of individuals with links to the Awami League has been attempting to create instability within the BNP and facilitate the return of former ruling-party supporters to the opposition party.
These allegations, however, have not been independently verified.
The September 25 incident reportedly began amid growing tensions surrounding the local BNP office in East Austagram.
Witnesses and BNP leaders aligned with Sayeed Ahmed allege that a group of people attacked and vandalised the BNP office and later damaged and looted shops belonging to BNP supporters in Akhra Bazar.
They further allege that shops believed to be associated with Awami League supporters were not targeted.
Upazila Jubo Dal Member Secretary Ali Rahman alleged that Selim Mia, a local ward Awami League president and relative of Kashed Mia, publicly threatened Sayeed Ahmed, which further escalated tensions.
Other local BNP leaders, including Upazila Chhatra Dal Member Secretary Al-Mostak, Jubo Dal leader Shahid Mia, Swechchhasebak Dal Joint Convener Afzal and BNP legal affairs secretary Advocate Asadul Haque Atik, also alleged that a group of BNP leaders, allegedly accompanied by Awami League supporters, attacked the party office and businesses of BNP supporters.
The allegations have not been independently verified.
S. M. Shaheen rejected the allegations against his faction and made a series of counter-allegations against Sayeed Ahmed.
Shaheen claimed that before August 5, Sayeed Ahmed maintained political links with a leader of the Awami League. He further alleged that after August 5, Sayeed became involved in activities including alleged case trading, illegal sand extraction, extortion, land grabbing and disputes over water bodies.
Shaheen said reports concerning some of these allegations had appeared in national television channels and newspapers.
Several local BNP-affiliated leaders, including Upazila Chhatra Dal Convener Titumir Sohel, Matsyajibi Dal Convener Mahfuz Alam, Swechchhasebak Dal Convener Md Jewel Mia and BNP Office Secretary G. M. Mosharraf Uddin, have reportedly demanded the dissolution of the existing Austagram Upazila BNP committee, saying that its tenure has expired.
The allegations made by either side could not be independently verified.
The conflict also comes amid a dispute over the leasing of the Bil Maska water body.
Sayeed Ahmed said the High Court has issued a six-month stay order in connection with the leasing process. He referred to a writ petition bearing number 31.12.4800.007.34.070.24-2944.
According to him, his side has invested nearly Tk 1 crore in bamboo structures in the water body and has been maintaining it throughout the year.
He claimed that if the water body is leased in violation of the court’s order and applicable government regulations, they would take legal steps in accordance with the law.
He also said that the Deputy Commissioner’s office had not yet communicated any final decision regarding the lease.
Sayeed Ahmed accused some individuals who, according to him, had remained politically inactive for years of attempting to damage the BNP’s image by attacking and vandalising the party office and creating unrest in what he described as a previously peaceful area.
He called on the district and central BNP leadership to visit Austagram and conduct an impartial investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, police said no formal complaint had yet been filed by either side.
Austagram Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Rukonuzzaman said that although the clash had taken place, neither faction had so far submitted a written complaint to the police.
He added that the law-and-order situation in the area was currently calm.
The BNP’s internal conflict and the competing allegations from the two factions have generated concern among local party activists and residents, while the show-cause notice issued to only one faction has added to the ongoing debate over accountability within the Austagram unit.
