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15 arrested after 60 injured in Jhenaidah clash over VGF cards
At least 60 people were injured in a clash over VGF rice card distribution between two factions of the BNP in Char Golaknogor village of Shailkupa upazila in Jhenaidah, officials said.
On Friday morning, police and BGB conducted a joint operation in Char Golaknogor and surrounding villages, arresting 15 BNP leaders and activists.
Shailkupa police officer-in-charge Humayun Kabir Molla confirmed that the clash erupted over the distribution of government-designated VGF rice cards for Eid-ul-Fitr. A social dispute had arisen between Ward BNP president Sayem Mondol of Mirzapur Union and Jubo Dal leader Shamim Laskar over the allocation of the cards.
According to the OC, the union parishad handed over the cards to Sayem Mondol, but Shamim Laskar demanded a share. When Sayem refused, both factions engaged in a violent clash during a village meeting on Thursday evening, using sticks and other improvised weapons.
The three-hour confrontation left 60 people injured, including Sanowar Molla, Shariful Islam, Shahidul, Jamirul, Rabiul Islam, Rashed Ali, Abul Hashem, Towaj Uddin, Amirul Islam, Monirul Islam, Khairul Isram, Kariaullah, Alfaz Laskar, Tapan Jowardar, Hafizur, Dulal Shah, Matiar Rahman, Laltu Shah, and Badiuzzaman. The injured were admitted to Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex, Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital, and Kushtia Medical College Hospital.
Shamim Laskar alleged that Sayem Mondol had collected 150 VGF cards from the union parishad and became angry when he demanded additional cards. He claimed that Sayem’s supporters attacked him while returning from Chariarbil market with a motorcade.
Ward BNP president Sayem Mondol, however, said he retained 75 cards for himself and gave 75 to the Ward BNP general secretary, Rabi Mondol. He alleged that Shamim Laskar continued to harass him throughout the day for not providing extra cards and later returned with a group of supporters to launch an attack, triggering a midnight clash that continued sporadically.
Shailkupa BNP general secretary Advocate Humayun Babor Firoz said disciplinary action will be taken against any party member who disrupts party order. He added that law enforcement has been advised to take action against anyone involved in illegal activities.
The Shailkupa OC added that additional police have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order following the clash, reports UNB.