BNP man killed, 20 hurt in Pabna intra-party clash
An activist of BNP, injured during the bloody clash between two factions of the party in Pabna town yesterday, being taken to hospital.Photo: STAR
An activist of BNP was shot dead and 20 others were injured in an intra-party clash in the district town yesterday. The deceased was identified as Milon Hossain, 25, son of Abdur Rahim Baksha at Dakkhin Raghappur village in the town. Afzal Hossain, officer in-charge of Pabna Sadar police station, said the clash took place between the supporters of two rival groups -- one led by the district unit BNP president KS Mahmud and the other by Kamrul Hasan Mintu, mayor of Pabna municipality and a BNP rival group leader -- in New Market area around 12:30pm. Quoting locals he said, when the supporters of Mahmud brought out a procession and tried to take control of the party's central office at Gopalpur Nahiripara, the rebel faction which had occupied it under the leadership of Kamrul, resisted it, triggering a fierce clash. Police charged batons on the clashing groups near Pabna Diabetic Hospital. A few rounds of gunshots were traded during the 30-minute clash that left Milon bullet-injured. He was rushed to Pabna Medical College Hospital where the doctors declared him dead. Vice president of Pabna district unit BNP Abdullah Al Mahamud claimed when their procession reached Pabna Diabatic Hospital point, the rival faction launched a sudden attack. Agitated activists then chased the attackers. "Police barricaded us and charged batons on our procession", he said. Siddikur Rahman Siddik, who belongs to the rival group led by the mayor, however claimed that Milon was killed as KS Mahmud-led processionists opened fire at "our party men." Police caught two BNP activists from the spot, said Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Md. Shamim Ahmed. During the clash, seven policemen also received injuries and took first aid, the ASP added. Of the other injured, Md. Milon Hossain, 38, Azahar, 35, belong to Mintu group and Arif Khan, organising secretary of municipal unit JCD, were admitted to Pabna Medical College Hospital. Internal feud in Pabna BNP deepened following the formation of the 172-member district unit headed by Major (retd.) KS Mahamud and Habibur Rahman Tota on January 13 this year. The new committee dropped over 40 BNP leaders of the previous committee, including former organising secretary of district BNP Kamrul Hasan Mintu. The rival faction occupied the party office on May 11 this year.
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