Four people were injured in a clash between two factions of BNP in Rajshahi city on Friday night over an alleged attempt to have an Awami League (AL) leader arrested.

Several crude bombs were exploded and three motorcycles, including one belonging to a journalist, were set on fire during the clash that lasted till 11pm.

The injured were Lovely Khatun, sports affairs secretary of Rajshahi Metropolitan unit Mohila Dal, her two and a half year old daughter Lamia, Tofazzal Hossain, a member of City Special Branch of police and Rony, a railway staff .They were admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

8 injured in BNP factional clash over jhut business

Witnesses said  three motorcycles were torched during the clash, one of which belonged to journalist Zahid Hasan Sabbir from Ajker Patrika.

His motorcycle was set ablaze while parked near the scene as he was covering the incident.

The tension started on Friday night when Lovely Khatun and her supporters surrounded a multi-story building in the Kadirganj area, suspecting that AL leader Mostak Ahmed Babu, joint secretary of Boalia (West) Thana AL, was inside.

Law enforcers conducted a raid but failed to track  Mostak although CCTV footages and security logs showed his presence in the building.

Mostak’s brother Sabbir Babu was arrested from the house.

As Lovely accused former Metropolitan Jubo Dal leader Maruf Hossain Jibon of aiding Mostak’s escape  Maruf’s followers allegedly attacked Lovely’s residence in Darikhorbona and  vandalised property.

Maruf’s personal office was vandalised allegedly by Lovely’s supporters,  triggering clahes.

The clashes spread across Darikhorbona, Upashahar Mor, Railgate, Sapura, and Shalbagan areas, with both sides reportedly using sharp weapons and crude bombs.

Later army personnel intervened and brought the situation under control and fire service personnel later extinguished the fire.

At a press conference held at 11:30 pm, Lovely Khatun claimed that a faction within BNP was responsible for attacking her home.

She also alleged that she was offered Tk 5 lakh to release Mostak’s brother but refused, which led to the attack on her residence.

Attempts to contact Maruf Hossain Jibon for comments were unsuccessful.

Rajshahi Metropolitan Police’s Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Sabina Yasmin additional police forces were deployed in the area and joint patrols were intensified.

 Action will be taken against those responsible once a complaint is lodged, said Sabina Yeasmin.