Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has dissolved its Chattogram North District convening committee after a violent clash, reportedly involving gunfire, erupted between two factions, injuring at least 30 people including the committee's convener Golam Akbar Khandakar.
The decision was announced in a press release on Tuesday, signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
According to the statement, the current committee has been officially dissolved and a new convening committee will be formed soon.
Confirming the development, BNP’s Central Chattogram Divisional Organizing Secretary Mahbuber Rahman Shamim said, “The central leadership has dissolved the Chattogram North District convening committee. A new one will be formed as soon as possible.”
The dissolved 44-member committee had been formed on 20 July 2022, with Golam Akbar Khondker serving as convenor.
Earlier, a violent clash broke out between two factions of BNP in Chattogram’s Raozan upazila on Tuesday afternoon, leaving several party leaders and activists injured, including Chattogram North District BNP convener Golam Akbar Khandakar.
The incident occurred around 5:00 PM at Sattarghat area of ward no. 1 under Raozan Municipality.
The injured were later rescued and taken to Chittagong Medical College (CMC) Hospital for treatment.
According to eyewitnesses and party sources, Golam Akbar Khandakar and his entourage were en route to Sultanpur to pay respects at the grave of former Upazila BNP President Mohiuddin Ahmed.
Simultaneously, followers of BNP Central Vice Chairman Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury were holding a motorcycle procession in the same area.
When the two groups came face-to-face at Sattarghat, tensions flared and quickly escalated into a physical altercation.
A motorcycle in Golam Akbar Khandakar’s convoy was reportedly set ablaze and his personal vehicle was vandalized during the clash. His personal assistant, Arjun Kumar Nath, claimed that Khandakar was shot and that the bullet grazed the side of his neck, causing heavy bleeding. “He is being rushed to Chittagong Medical College Hospital,” Arjun said.
Other injured individuals include Raozan Upazila BNP General Secretary Anwar Hossain, former general secretary Nasim Uddin Chowdhury, APS Asiqur Rahman, Jubo Dal leader Sajjad Hossain, BNP leader Aurangzeb Samrat, Chhatra Dal Vice-President Naeem Uddin Minhaj and Mohammad Humayun, among others.
Following the clash, Golam Akbar Khandakar’s supporters organized a protest rally in the area.
The situation at Raozan remains tense, with law enforcement personnel deployed to prevent further violence.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Raozan Police Station Monirul Islam said, "A clash occurred between two factions of BNP in Raojan. Several people were injured in this. The situation is currently under control. We are investigating the matter."
