Youth killed in Feni BNP factional clash over soil cutting

An activist of Jubo Dal, the youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was killed and two others were injured in a factional clash between two groups of the party over cutting soil from agricultural land in Feni’s Chhagalnaiya upazila early Sunday.

The incident occurred around 3:00 am in the Contractor Mosque area of Pathannagar union. 

The deceased, Hona Mia, 37, son of Abul Kashem, a resident of Purba Shilua village, was an activist of Jubo Dal. 

The injured were identified as Ala Uddin Sujan, 30, son of Jane Alam, and Nur Alam, 40, both residents of the same village.

According to police and locals, a group had long been involved in cutting soil from agricultural land in the area despite repeated warnings from local lawmaker Rafiqul Alam Majnu. Tensions had reportedly been building for several days between two groups of BNP supporters over the issue.

The situation turned violent late at night when supporters of the rival groups clashed in the area.

Three people sustained critical injuries including Hona Mia during the clash and were taken to Feni General Hospital, where doctors declared Hona dead upon arrival. 

Local resident Kamal Uddin said the local MP had been conducting drives in different areas and issuing strict warnings against cutting soil from farmland since the last national parliamentary election. 

Some individuals, however, allegedly continued the activity despite the restrictions.

Chhagalnaiya upazila BNP convener Nur Ahmed Majumder could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts, as his mobile phone was found switched off.

Confirming the matter, Chhagalnaiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kamrul Islam said that police arrested seven people for their alleged involvement in the incident.

Legal action would be taken against those found involved after proper investigation, the OC added.

Abdullah Al-Mamun/MHK