Sujanagar, July 9 (V7N) – A violent clash erupted between two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Sujanagar, Pabna, on Wednesday, resulting in at least 15 injuries, including that of the BNP's Upazila General Secretary, Sheikh Abdur Rouf. The incident took place around 2:30 PM near the Nandita Cinema Hall in Sujanagar’s municipal market.
 
The injured individuals include Sheikh Abdur Rouf (50), the General Secretary of Sujanagar BNP, along with Sujan Ali (35), Sheikh Monjed Ali (30), Yakub Ali (56), Alhaj Hossain (40), Manik Kha (35), Shobuj Kha (30), Abdur Rahman (45), Shakil Kha (25), Riyaz Khan (25), Tikka Khan (60), and others whose details are yet to be confirmed. Seven of the injured have been admitted to Pabna General Hospital, while the rest are receiving treatment at Sujanagar Upazila Health Complex.
 
Background of the Conflict:
The dispute began on Tuesday, July 8, when a phone call between a woman and Ashik, a supporter of the former joint secretary of Sujanagar BNP, Majibur Kha, led to a confrontation. Kaucher, the nephew of Sheikh Abdur Rouf and a leader of the student wing of BNP (Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal), snatched and broke Ashik’s phone. Despite attempts to resolve the matter, tensions resurfaced the following day.
 
On Wednesday, Ashik, accompanied by his cousin Subuj, arrived at the Nandita Cinema Hall to meet Kaucher, where a verbal altercation escalated into a physical confrontation. As the altercation turned violent, Subuj intervened but was beaten and stabbed. Ashik and Subuj informed their BNP leaders, and a group of their supporters gathered at the site to retaliate, resulting in a full-scale clash.
 
Sheikh Abdur Rouf, trying to mediate the situation, was also attacked with knives and beaten. During the violence, several rounds of gunfire were exchanged.
 
Statements and Reactions:
Taufik Hassan Alhaj, the convener of Sujanagar BNP, clarified that the incident was not related to party politics but rather a regional or personal dispute. He condemned the violence and called for the punishment of those responsible.
 
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sujanagar Police Station, Majibur Rahman, explained that there has been a long-standing rivalry between the two local BNP factions over dominance. The exact cause of the current incident is still unclear, but police forces, including additional personnel and the army, have been deployed in the area to maintain control. An investigation is ongoing, and legal action will be taken based on the findings.
 
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