BNP Leaders Assault Union Chairman

A local chairman in Rajshahi’s Durgapur upazila has been assaulted by members of his own political party following a dispute over the distribution of government relief cards intended for low-income families.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at approximately 1:30 pm in Shyampur village under Nowpara Union, when Azad Ali Sardar (62)—the acting chairman of Nowpara Union Parishad and president of Ward No. 5 Nandigram BNP—was allegedly attacked by local activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Azad Ali Sardar is currently receiving treatment at the Durgapur Upazila Health Complex after sustaining injuries during the altercation.

Dispute Over VGF Relief Cards

The clash reportedly stemmed from disagreements over the allocation of Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) cards, a government relief programme that distributes rice to financially disadvantaged households during major festivals and emergencies.

Local sources said the chairman was travelling from the Union Parishad office to the office of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) when several individuals led by RezauI Islam, a former Union Parishad member, and Afaz, a local BNP leader, allegedly stopped him on the road in Shyampur village.

The group reportedly demanded 240 VGF cards for their supporters. However, the chairman refused to comply, stating that the cards must be distributed strictly according to government regulations and based on an approved list of beneficiaries.

This response reportedly angered the group, who then assaulted him and seized some official documents he was carrying.

Injuries and Chairman’s Statement

Following the attack, Azad Ali Sardar was taken to the local health complex for medical treatment. Doctors advised him to undergo an X-ray examination due to injuries sustained to his chest, back, and legs.

Speaking about the incident, Sardar rejected allegations that he had demanded money in exchange for relief cards.

“The claim that I asked for money in return for VGF cards is completely false and fabricated,” he said. “The cards were being distributed according to official procedures.”

Conflicting Claims from Local Leaders

Interestingly, RezauI Islam, the former UP member and organisational secretary of BNP’s Shyampur ward unit, acknowledged that the chairman had been assaulted but provided a different explanation for the confrontation.

He alleged that the chairman demanded Tk 5,000 for each relief card, which prompted anger among local activists.

Meanwhile, Abdul Hakim, the general secretary of the Shyampur ward BNP unit, suggested another motive behind the incident. According to him, the attack occurred because some individuals were dissatisfied with the chairman’s attempt to prepare the beneficiary list transparently.

These contradictory claims have further complicated the situation and prompted calls for a formal investigation.

Key Individuals Involved

Police and Administrative Response

Local authorities have begun investigating the incident. Shafiqul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Durgapur Police Station, confirmed that the injured chairman had submitted a written complaint regarding the attack.

“Police have been sent to investigate the matter,” he said, adding that further action would depend on the findings of the inquiry.

Meanwhile, MashTura Amina, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Durgapur, said she had been informed about the incident and had advised the chairman to pursue appropriate legal measures.

Wider Concerns

The incident highlights the recurring tensions surrounding the distribution of government relief benefits in rural Bangladesh. Programmes such as the VGF scheme are designed to support economically vulnerable households, but disputes over beneficiary lists and allegations of political favouritism occasionally lead to conflict at the local level.

Observers say ensuring transparent beneficiary selection and strict administrative oversight is essential to prevent such confrontations and ensure that relief assistance reaches those most in need.