343 BNP men sued over clash in Noakhali

A case was filed today against 343 leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated organisations over a clash in Companiganj upazila of Noakhali.

On Thursday, at least four BNP men and a ruling party man were injured in the clash between BNP and Awami League men, reports our Noakhali correspondent.

In the case, 93 leaders and activists of BNP were named and 250 unidentified people were accused, Sadekur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Companiganj Police Station, told The Daily Star today.

Upazila Swechchhasebak League Joint General Secretary Md Alamgir Hossain filed the case on Thursday night.

Md Fakhrul Islam, a member of Companiganj upazila BNP, is the main accused in the case. The others accused include Mahmudur Rahman Ripon, secretary of upazila BNP, Obaidul Haque Rafel, convener of Basurhat Municipal Jubo Dal, Nurul Alam Shikdar, convener of upazila BNP, Abdul Matin Liton, president of Basurhat Municipal BNP, among others.

The BNP leaders said the case was filed to harass their leaders and activists.

According to the plaintiff's statement, the clash between BNP activists took place in Basurhat Bazar on Thursday afternoon over internal conflicts within the party.

Hasna Jasim Uddin Moudud, a member of the BNP Standing Committee and wife of Moudud Ahmed, dismissed the claims and stated that the ruling party members attacked them without any provocation.

Noakhali BNP General Secretary Abdur Rahman claimed that their members had been assaulted by ruling party supporters and now a case has been filed against them.

"It's unfair. The home minister had said in parliament a few days ago that no case would be filed against the opposition party leaders before the elections, but the case was filed without any verification," he said, adding that the BNP activists are fleeing their homes fearing arrests.