A violent clash between two rival factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) over a smuggled consignment of drugs has left one man dead and at least seven others injured in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia. The victim, 60-year-old Tengur Mondal, succumbed to a fatal spear wound during the clash, which also involved several rounds of gunfire.
The deadly altercation occurred around 3:30 pm on Thursday, 1 October, in Charuikuri (Morar Char) village under Ramkrishnapur union, a border area known for illicit cross-border smuggling. The deceased, son of the late Doiyab Mondal, was the younger brother of Patol Mondal, the general secretary of the Ramkrishnapur Union BNP.
At least seven other individuals sustained injuries during the skirmish. The injured have been identified as Suman Mia (50), Hadu Mondal (70), Rashidul (35), Fotik (55), Bojlu (55), Azad Mondal (60), and Raju Mondal (30). They were rushed to various local healthcare facilities, including Kushtia District Sadar Hospital, where several remain under treatment.
Local sources indicate that the deadly confrontation stems from a long-standing rivalry for political dominance and territorial control in the union. On one side is Patol Mondal’s group, representing established local party leadership. On the other is a faction led by Azahar Ali, a member of Ward 1 Union Parishad, who recently joined the BNP under the endorsement of the sitting Member of Parliament.
Tensions flared two to three days prior to the incident following the arrival of an illegal drug consignment smuggled across the nearby Indian border. An argument over the distribution and control of the contraband—believed to be illicit drugs or hand-rolled tendu leaf cigarettes (pata biri)—escalated into heated verbal exchanges, threats, and sporadic chases between supporters of Azahar Member and Patol.
The feud reached a boiling point on Thursday afternoon as both sides assembled armed with sticks, spears, and firearms. During the violent confrontation, Tengur Mondal was struck in the abdomen by a spear (sorki). Local residents managed to rescue him from the scene, but he died en route to the hospital due to severe internal trauma.
Ramkrishnapur Union Parishad Chairman Siraj Mondal confirmed that escalating disputes over smuggled goods had been simmering between the factions for days before breaking out into open violence. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Daulatpur Police Station, Khaledur Rahman, stated that police forces were deployed immediately upon receiving reports of the casualty. He confirmed that the situation has since been brought under control, with additional officers stationed in the village while investigations and drives to apprehend those responsible continue.
