BNP-Jamaat clash over TCB card

Clashes and firing occurred between BNP-Jamaat activists in Pabna's Ishwardi due to a dispute over the distribution of TCB cards. At least 4 people including 3 workers of BNP were injured in the clash.

This incident took place in the Laxmikunda Union Parishad of the upazila on Wednesday (09 October) afternoon.

BNP workers injured in the clash are Milan Biswas, Rajiv Mollah and Rabbi Mollah. Among them, Rajiv and Rabbi Laxmikunda are the sons of Union BNP convener Biru Mollah. The injured have been admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Eyewitnesses and police sources said that a few days ago, based on the joint opinion of BNP-Jamaat leaders, it was decided to give TCB cards to 100 people of BNP and 50 people for Jamaat in Ward No. 8 of Laxmikunda Union. On Wednesday afternoon, Jamaat's local leader Akram Hossain and some others came to the UP Parishad to see if the allocation of TCB cards in the name of their people is correct. They spoke to Biru Mollah, the convenor of the union BNP, who was already present there. At one stage, Biru Molla addressed Jamaat leader Akram and said, 'You are a politician of Awami League, when will you become the leader of Jamaat?'

On these words, there was an argument between the two of them in the UP secretary's room. Later, the dispute between the two men was resolved through the mediation of former Union BNP president Ranju Biswas and Union Parishad Secretary Mizanur Rahman Khokon. Shortly after this incident, the BNP people gathered and marched towards the house of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Akram Hossain, when the Jamaat people tried to resist them, a clash broke out. At one point there was a shooting incident. On receiving the information, a group of police from Ishwardi police station reached the spot and brought the situation under control.

Secretary of Laxmikunda Union Parishad Mizanur Rahman Khokon said, 'When a group of youths with a fleet of 10-12 motorcycles came and opened fire in front of the Union Parishad, panic spread. The local BNP and Jamaat leaders are blaming each other for the shooting incident.'

Sahabul Haque Biswas, the joint convener of Ishwardi Upazila Jubo Dal, who was present at the scene, said, "At the time of the incident, Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal leaders, led by former Chhatra Dal leader Tanveer Hasan Sumon, appeared there, but they left the scene after a while."

Ranju Biswas, former president of Laxmikunda Union BNP, said, 'He went to the Union Parishad for personal work and came across this incident. BNP leader Biru Mollah and Akram Hussain, who recently joined the Jamaat, clashed after their supporters settled the incident. But he could not say who or who fired.

Union BNP convener Biru Molla said, 'Akram Hossain used to be Awami League a few days ago. Now he is doing terrorist activities in the area by joining Jamaat.

Denying the allegations, Jamaat leader Akram Hossain said, 'Biru Molla's people are responsible for the conflict. They are the first to attack our people.'

Inspector (Investigation) of Ishwardi Police Station Monirul Islam said, 'There was a fight between them over the TCB card. Locals said that the sound of gunshots was heard. However, no one has given a written complaint to the police station in this incident. No one was arrested. The police visited the spot.'