1 killed, 2 injured in BNP’s factional clash in Munshiganj

Bangla Press Desk:  A man was shot dead and two others, including one with bullets, were injured in a clash between two rival factions of local BNP in Mollakandi union of Munshiganj Sadar upazila early Monday.

The incident took place just eight days after another BNP activist was shot dead in a clash between the same groups in the area on November 2.

The deceased was identified as Arif Mir, 35, a resident of Chardumuria village under Mollakandi union and a BNP activist.

One of the injured, Imran, Arif’s paternal cousin, sustained bullet wounds and was shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital after receiving first aid at Munshiganj General Hospital.

Locals said the clash erupted from a longstanding dispute between Arif, an associate of former union BNP vice-president Awlad Hossain, and Shah Kamal, a follower of district BNP convening committee member Atik Mallik and current union BNP president Ohid Mollah.

On November 2, supporters of the Awlad group allegedly fired on members of the Kamal group, killing one of their activists, Tuhin.

Following the killing, members of the Kamal group had fled the area but tried to return on Monday morning, triggering the latest clash around 6am.

Hearing gunfire and screams, locals rushed to the spot, rescued the injured, and took them to Munshiganj General Hospital, where doctors declared Arif dead upon arrival.

Dr Ruhul Amin, a physician at the hospital’s emergency department, confirmed that Arif was brought dead and said one of the injured had been referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment.

The other injured is receiving treatment at the hospital.

Officer-in-charge (OC) of Sadar Police Station M Saiful Alam said police rushed to the scene soon after the incident and additional forces were deployed to bring the situation under control.

Locals said tension has been running high in the area since Tuhin’s killing on November 2.

BP/SP