At least 10 people were injured when supporters of two BNP leaders clashed over a long-running dispute and alleged efforts to establish political dominance in Sonargaon, Narayanganj, on Wednesday (19 August). The confrontation took place around midday in the Ashariarchar area of the upazila, with reports of chasing, physical assaults and vandalism at a party office during the incident.
One of those injured was reportedly in a critical condition and was transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment. The clash has renewed tensions within the local BNP and raised concerns among residents about the possibility of further confrontations.
The dispute centres on Abdur Rauf, joint secretary of Sonargaon Thana BNP, and Abdul Jalil, the organisation’s secretary for voluntary affairs. The two leaders are brothers, according to local sources, and their long-standing disagreement over influence, leadership and control has reportedly spilled into local party activities.
Five supporters of Rauf—Abubakkar Siddiq, Mofizul Islam, Yanbi, Babul Hossain and Rafiqul Islam—were among those injured. Several supporters of Jalil, including Sabur Khan and Abdul Latif, were also hurt. Local sources put the total number of injured on both sides at no fewer than 10.
Witnesses said the confrontation escalated into chasing and counter-chasing before a party office was vandalised. The exact sequence of events remains disputed, as both sides have accused the other of initiating the violence.
Residents said the disagreement between the two brothers was not a recent development. Previous disputes had also reportedly created tense situations in Ashariarchar. Local people further alleged that several houses had been set on fire during earlier incidents and that cases had subsequently been filed with the police. Against that backdrop, residents view Wednesday’s violence as part of a wider and unresolved conflict rather than an isolated incident.
Rauf alleged that members of the opposing faction had previously set fire to the homes of his supporters and had even attempted to kill him. He claimed that, after being away from the party office for nearly two months, he had returned there when members of the rival group suddenly attacked him and his supporters.
Jalil rejected the allegations. According to his account, members of Rauf’s faction first attacked one of his supporters when they found him alone. The man was then allegedly taken inside the party office and beaten. Jalil said people from the surrounding area responded to his cries and rescued him.
Kazi Nazrul Islam Titu, senior vice-president of Sonargaon Upazila BNP, said he learned about the clash through social media and media workers. He said the two brothers had been involved in previous confrontations and warned that repeated incidents could damage the party’s public image while creating fear among local residents.
Titu also said the possibility of a third party deliberately provoking the situation to tarnish the BNP’s reputation should be examined. He said the matter would be discussed with senior party leaders and that organisational action could be taken if allegations of indiscipline or actions causing public alarm were established.
Police were sent to the scene after receiving information about the clash, said Anwar Hossain, an investigation officer at Sonargaon Police Station. He said arrangements had been made for the injured to receive medical treatment. No written complaint had been submitted by either side to the police at the time of reporting.
Police said they were examining the circumstances surrounding the confrontation, including how it began and who was involved. Legal action will be taken following an investigation if a formal complaint is filed.
With both factions offering conflicting accounts, the immediate trigger for the violence has yet to be established. The incident, however, highlights how prolonged personal and political disputes can deepen divisions within local party structures. Residents fear that without timely intervention by political leaders and continued attention from law-enforcement agencies, similar disputes could escalate into more serious violence.
