At least 20 leaders and activists of BNP were injured in clashes over standing on stage and chanting slogans during a rally in Sadar upazila of Narayanganj on Tuesday.
One of the injured Rafiqul Islam Rafique was hospitalized at Dhaka Medical College Hospital in the capital and the rest at local hospitals.
Local party insiders said supporters of district chapter Jubo Dal Member Secretary Moshiur Rahman Rony and its Metropolitan unit Member Secretary Monirul Isalm Sajal locked into the clashes in phases over places at the front of the stage and chanting slogans in favour of their respective leaders on Khanpur’s Hospital road in the afternoon.
The incidents left at least 20 injured.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, who was present as the chief guest at the programme, said, “Why are you (party men) getting locked in clashes among ownselves, whereas your brothers (fellows) are losing their legs and hands and receiving bullets?"
Urging all to stop such violence, he said, “Disasters have landed on us."
The chapter’s BNP Member Secretary Advocate Abu Yousuf Tipu, taking the matter as normal, said that such incidents can happen in a big party.
Anisur Islalm, officer-in-charge of Sadar police station, said they tried to stop the clash but the party men were desperate.
No one lodged complaints in this connection till now, he added.