Clash Between Rival Student Wings Sees Vandalism of Khaleda–Tarique Portraits

A long-simmering internal dispute within the student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) erupted into violence in Rupganj, Narayanganj, late on Wednesday night and spilled into Thursday, leaving several people injured and party property badly damaged. The confrontation, triggered by an ongoing struggle for political dominance, has sparked concern among senior party figures and local residents alike.

According to local sources, rival factions of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal in Golakandail Union had been at odds for weeks over control and influence in the area. The tensions centre on two groups led by Sazzad Maula Bin Mizan and Rakib Hasan, both members of the Golakandail Union Chhatra Dal committee. Sazzad is known to be politically close to BNP central executive committee member Kazi Moniruzzaman Monir, while Rakib operates within the political orbit of another central executive member, Mustafizur Rahman Bhuiyan Dipu. This rivalry gradually intensified, culminating in open conflict.

The situation reached a flashpoint on Wednesday night when leaders and activists of Ward No. 8 Chhatra Dal organised a prayer gathering seeking the recovery of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. Several local leaders, including student leader Masudur Rahman, attended the programme. Following the event, it is alleged that Rakib Hasan and his supporters arrived at the ward office late at night and issued threats, demanding that the office be vacated and that portraits of Kazi Moniruzzaman Monir be taken down.

By Thursday afternoon, the dispute had escalated into violence. Members of the Sazzad faction claim that a group of 35 to 40 men, allegedly led by Rakib Hasan along with Shahabuddin, Nazrul, Mosharraf, Babu and Arif Babul, launched a coordinated attack on the Ward No. 8 Chhatra Dal office. The attackers were reportedly armed with pistols and various locally made weapons. During the assault, portraits of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, acting chairman Tarique Rahman and central leader Kazi Moniruzzaman Monir were vandalised, an act that has drawn strong condemnation within party circles.

When members of the Sazzad group attempted to resist, they were beaten severely. At least eight activists sustained serious injuries and were rushed to different local hospitals for treatment.

Rakib Hasan has rejected all allegations, describing them as baseless. He claimed that the office in question had been used for antisocial activities and that local residents, angered by the situation, were responsible for the unrest rather than his supporters.

Police from Rupganj police station arrived promptly at the scene and brought the situation under control. Officer-in-Charge Tarikul Islam stated that both sides had been urged to maintain calm and that the situation was now stable. He added that a thorough investigation was underway and that appropriate legal action would be taken based on the findings.

The incident underscores the deepening factionalism within local student politics and raises fresh questions about discipline and leadership within party-affiliated organisations. SS