Bloodshed Erupts Between Rival BNP Factions in Sonargaon

A violent clash between two rival factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) broke out in Sonargaon, Narayanganj, on Wednesday, 19 August, leaving at least 10 people injured and triggering fresh concern over the party’s internal divisions in the area.

The confrontation took place around midday in the Ashariarchar area of Sonargaon upazila. The dispute reportedly centred on local influence, control and longstanding rivalry between two BNP leaders who are also brothers. A political office was vandalised during the clash, while several people sustained injuries in the fighting.

According to local sources, the dispute involves Abdur Rouf, joint secretary of the Sonargaon Thana BNP, and his younger or elder brother Abdul Jalil, who serves as the organisation’s secretary for volunteer affairs. Their disagreement over local influence and political authority has reportedly persisted for a considerable period and has previously contributed to tensions among their supporters.

Among those injured from Rouf’s faction were Abubakar Siddique, Mofizul Islam, Yanbi, Babul Hossain and Rafiqul Islam. Several supporters from Jalil’s side, including Sabur Khan and Abdul Latif, were also injured. At least one of the injured people was reportedly in a serious condition and was transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment.

Local residents said the conflict between the two brothers was not a new development. Their political rivalry has allegedly led to several confrontations in Ashariarchar in the past. Residents also recalled an earlier incident in which houses belonging to local people were reportedly set on fire amid tensions between the two groups. A case was filed at the police station in connection with that incident.

Abdur Rouf alleged that members of the opposing faction had previously set fire to the homes of his supporters and had also attempted to kill him. He claimed that he and his supporters were attacked without warning while they were staying at a party office on Wednesday, following an absence of around two months.

Abdul Jalil rejected those allegations. He claimed instead that members of his faction had been targeted because of an earlier dispute. According to him, one of his supporters was attacked while alone, after which Jalil himself was allegedly assaulted and confined inside the political office. He said local people responded after hearing his cries and came forward to rescue him.

Kazi Nazrul Islam Titu, senior vice-president of the Sonargaon upazila BNP, said he learnt about the incident through social media and journalists. He acknowledged that the two brothers had been involved in previous clashes and said the party would discuss the matter with senior leaders.

Titu also suggested that a third party could be attempting to damage the BNP’s reputation by encouraging such incidents. He said organisational action could be considered against the two leaders for creating disorder within the party and causing fear among local residents.

Anwar Hossain, investigation officer at Sonargaon Police Station, said police were sent to the area immediately after receiving information about the clash. Arrangements were made for the injured to receive medical treatment.

He said no written complaint had been submitted by either side at the time of his statement. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and attempting to establish what triggered the violence. If a formal complaint is filed, appropriate legal action will be taken, he added.

The latest incident has renewed concerns about political tensions in the area. The fact that the dispute involves two brothers holding organisational positions has added another dimension to the controversy. Local residents are now calling for the situation to be brought under control so that recurring political confrontations do not threaten public safety or disrupt everyday life in the community.