Intra-Party Clash in Jhenidah
8 BNP men sent to jail
Our Correspondent, Kushtia
Eight leaders and activists of ruling BNP including a local Zia Prishad leader have been sent to jail in Jhenidah in a case filed by a local party lawmaker after an intra-party clash on February 17. The clash took place between supporters of BNP lawmaker from Jhenidah-4 constituency Sahiduzzaman Beltu and Jhenidah Zia Parishad President Shafiqul Islam Tutul. At least 70 people were injured in the hours-long clashes. Those sent to jail by a court here on Monday are Jhenidah Zia Parishad Convenor Shafiqul Islam Tutul, his father former Kaliganj upazila BNP president Aynal Hasan, former general secretary Tabibur Rahman Mini, former Jubo Dal president Mizanur Rahman and BNP activists Dolar, Milon Hossain, Khokon and Tokon. According to police and other sources, influential ruling party lawmaker from Jhenidah-4 constituency Sahiduzzaman Beltu and Zia Parishad president Shafiqul Islam Tutul had rivalry for long over supremacy in the area. Both are also aspirants for ruling party nomination for the next general election. On February 17, followers of Shafiqul called a meeting at Kaliganj bus stand and obtained permission for this from the local administration. Lawmaker Sahiduzzaman also called a meeting at the same venue at the same time, allegedly without permission from the administration. Later, Shafiqul's group shifted their venue to KDC warehouse premises at Shibnagar in the upazila on request from administration, while the lawmaker remained firm to hold a meeting at the bus stand. Clashes erupted when Sahiduzzaman's men allegedly prevented Shafiqul's supporters from attending the meeting at Shibnagar. Allegations have it that the lawmaker's supporters also swooped on Shafiqul's meeting, triggering clashes that lasted for hours. Followers of Sahiduzzaman also assaulted local journalist Mahir Foysal as he was taking photos of clashes. Later Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Anwar Hossain, a supporter of the lawmaker, filed a case against 20 men including Shafiqul and his father Aynal. Police declined to record any case by Shafiqul, the sources alleged. Shafiqul then moved High Court, which ordered him and the accused to appear before a lower court. On Monday, Shafiqul, his father and their supporters appeared before Jhenidah Judge Court, which sent them to jail, rejecting their bail petitions. A tense situation is prevailing in the district over the incident. Additional police have been deployed in Kaliganj.
| 
