At least 15 people were injured as two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party at Tanore upazila in Rajshahi clashed on Thursday evening.
According to the party sources, an iftar party was organised at the house of Mofiz Uddin, former president of the Chanduria union BNP on Thursday evening where BNP chairperson鈥檚 advisory council member retired major general Sharif Uddin was present as chief guest.
Witnesses said that, following the iftar programme, followers of Mofiz Uddin and Chanduria union BNP incumbent president Azad Ali locked into a clash at Ratoil Bazar under the upazila over the allegation of collecting extortion in the name of organising the iftar programme at the house of Mofiz Uddin.
During the clash, BNP activists allegedly also vandalised a grocery shop at the bazar, witnesses added.
Md Roni, brother of Azad Ali and also publicity affairs secretary of the union BNP, said that they were against organising any iftar party at the union as one of their fellow activists was killed several days ago in a factional clash over holding an iftar party.
He alleged that Mofiz鈥檚 supporters first attacked a grocery shop at Ratoil Bazar on Thursday evening after the owner of the shop had refused to pay money to be used for iftar party.
鈥楳ofiz supporters attacked us, leaving nine of our men injured,鈥� he alleged, claiming that Mofiz鈥檚 supporters looted goods worth about Tk 14 lakh from the shop.
Mofiz Uddin, however, denied the allegation and claimed that the clash took place following a conflict over the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority deep tube-well issue.
He claimed that six of his supporters were injured after Azad Ali鈥檚 men attack them at Ratoil Bazar.
Contacted, Tanore police officer-in-charge Afzal Hossain said that they heard that fifteen people from both sides were injured in the clash.
鈥楴o one has filed a complaint and we will investigate the matter and take legal action if necessary,鈥� he added.
Earlier on March 11, BNP activist Ganiul Islam was injured and later died as two factions of the Pachandar union BNP clashed over organising an iftar party at the Krishnapur Adarsha Women College premises.
