The confrontation broke out near Debidwar Upazila Parishad after the two groups held separate rallies and processions marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day.
A collage shows supporters of rival BNP factions taking part in separate processions in Cumilla’s Debidwar on Saturday (8 November), and a vehicle in the convoy of reserved-seat lawmaker Rasheda Begum Hira is seen with a shattered windshield following an alleged attack. Photo: Courtesy.
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A collage shows supporters of rival BNP factions taking part in separate processions in Cumilla’s Debidwar on Saturday (8 November), and a vehicle in the convoy of reserved-seat lawmaker Rasheda Begum Hira is seen with a shattered windshield following an alleged attack. Photo: Courtesy.
A car in the convoy of reserved-seat lawmaker Rasheda Begum Hira was vandalised in Cumilla’s Debidwar Upazila today (8 November) when two rival BNP factions came face to face during separate processions following rallies marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day.
Hira and MA Auwal Khan, a former joint general secretary of the central Chhatra Dal, alleged that their convoy came under attack. Auwal, whose car was vandalised, accused AFM Tarek Munshi, former member secretary of Cumilla North District BNP, of leading the attack. Tarek, however, called the allegation “completely baseless”.
Moriuzzaman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Debidwar Police Station, said tension flared when the two factions came face to face as Hira was leaving after the programme.
He confirmed that the window of Auwal Khan’s car had been smashed and said police immediately escorted the group to safety.
Legal action would be taken if a complaint was filed, he added.
According to BNP and local sources, the Debidwar Upazila BNP organised a discussion and rally at the New Market premises in the afternoon, with upazila BNP Convener Jasim Uddin in the chair. Hira, who holds reserved seat 303 in parliament, was the chief guest.
Meanwhile, another rally was held on the ground of Debidwar Government Reazuddin Pilot Model High School, led by Cumilla North district BNP Joint Convener Barrister Rizviul Ahsan Munshi and Tarek Munshi. Former Cumilla-4 lawmaker Engineer Manjurul Ahsan Munshi was the chief guest.
Following the upazila BNP’s rally, its supporters held a procession that ended at the Debidwar Upazila Parishad premises, and a separate procession led by Rizviul and Tarek headed towards the same premises after their rally.
“We were returning after finishing the programme when we came face to face with them in front of Kalachan Market,” said Auwal Khan, also a former general secretary of Titumir College Chhatra Dal.
“They were chanting offensive slogans targeting BNP’s Cumilla Divisional Organisational Secretary Selim Bhuiyan and lawmaker Hira. When our leaders and activists asked them to stop chanting those slogans, they attacked our convoy and vandalised my car. AFM Tarek Munshi himself led the attack.”
Responding to the allegation, Tarek Munshi said, “We are not aware of any such incident. The allegation is completely baseless.”
Reserved-seat lawmaker Rasheda Begum Hira said, “We were returning after completing our programme peacefully when an unfortunate incident occurred. Can we consider those who intimidate our party during its programmes to be members of our own party?
“If they had any grievances, they could have talked to us. Instead, they attacked us as the Awami League would. It seems they are representing the Awami League. They hit our cars and hurled abuse at organising secretary Principal Selim Bhuiyan, calling him names. Police later escorted us to safety,” she added.
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