A fierce territorial dispute over the lucrative control of brick kilns, topsoil contracts, and labour supply culminated in widespread political violence on Friday afternoon in Narayanganj’s Fatullah, leaving at least ten people injured by gunfire and barbed spears (teta).
The unrest broke out in the Akbar Nagar Sepahibari area under the Baktabali Union, where two rival factions affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) engaged in repeated skirmishes from 3:30 pm until dusk. The conflict quickly escalated beyond street brawling into targeted home invasions, looting, and indiscriminate shootings across the residential quarter.
Police units subsequently restored order in the area, seizing 40 barbed spears from the scene and detaining two individuals for questioning regarding their participation in the riots.
Economic Competition and Political Friction
The outbreak of violence stems from an ongoing struggle for local dominance between a faction led by Halim Azad, Organisational Secretary of the Baktabali Union BNP, and a competing alliance headed by Abdul Kadir Sepai—Office Secretary of the Narayanganj District Auto-Rickshaw and Auto-Tempu Labour Union—alongside local political figure Haji Samed Ali.
According to local sources and police investigators, the core driver of the rivalry revolves around financial interests along the riverine belt of Baktabali. Controlling topsoil extraction for brickfields, managing labour distribution, and levying extortion commissions on local enterprise have long generated intense friction between rival political figures in the district.
Organisational tensions further heightened when the local Krishak Dal organised a discussion forum in Baktabali. The decision to invite Moktar Hossain, Joint Convenor of the Sirajdikhan Upazila BNP in neighbouring Munshiganj, as the chief guest antagonised opposing figures, serving as the immediate catalyst for Friday’s confrontation.
According to neighbourhood accounts, supporters linked to Halim Azad launched an assault on several residences in Sepahibari around 3:00 pm. The initial raid triggered a swift counter-offensive from Kadir Sepai and Samed Ali’s followers, plunging the locality into hours of violent chaos marked by chase-and-counter-chase tactics.
Casualties and Conflicting Accusations
Among those gravely injured during the clash is Hridoy, the youngest son of Haji Samed Ali, who sustained a gunshot wound to the body. Another victim, Raju Sheikh, son of Alauddin Sheikh, was struck by a barbed spear. Other identified casualties include Siam, Oli, and Mujabbir. The injured were initially admitted to Narayanganj General Hospital before several were transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital due to deteriorating health conditions.
Speaking to the media, Abdul Kadir Sepai accused Halim Azad of running a long-standing extortion racket. Kadir claimed that after refusing to pay demands, Azad imported armed thugs from neighbouring Keraniganj to ransack his residence. The attackers allegedly looted gold jewellery, air conditioning units, refrigerators, and washing machines while firing live rounds into the house.
Halim Azad vehemently denied the extortion and looting claims, countering that his men were ambushed while returning peacefully from the Krishak Dal rally. He maintained that he did not discharge any firearm, insisting instead that he attempted to mediate and halt the violence. Azad dismissed allegations of personal enmity or efforts to oust rival members from party positions.
The recovery of firearms and heavy traditional weaponry from residential quarters has sparked significant concern among local residents regarding public safety and political stability in the region. Law enforcement authorities have maintained an increased presence in Baktabali Union to prevent further reprisal attacks as investigations proceed.
