Madaripur, Oct 6 (V7N) – At least 15 people, including senior police officials, were injured as two rival factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) clashed during a procession in Kalkini upazila of Madaripur on Sunday afternoon. The violence erupted when supporters of two nomination aspirants confronted each other near the upazila parishad premises.

According to police and local sources, retired army officer Major (Retd.) Rezaul Karim Reza, a BNP nomination aspirant for the Madaripur-3 constituency, led a procession with his supporters to meet the upazila administration as part of a courtesy visit. When the rally reached the upazila complex, a heated altercation broke out between his supporters and those of another BNP nomination aspirant, Anisur Rahman Khokon Talukder, who is also the party’s assistant secretary for non-formal education affairs. The argument quickly escalated into a violent clash, with both sides reportedly using sticks and sharp weapons.

During the melee, Additional Superintendent of Police Chatak Chakma and Kalkini Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) K.M. Sohel Rana were injured while attempting to control the situation. Several others from both sides were also hurt. The injured were taken to Kalkini Upazila Health Complex for treatment.

Major (Retd.) Rezaul Karim Reza alleged that his supporters were attacked by followers of Khokon Talukder. “We went to meet the local administration peacefully, but his men ambushed us without provocation. Around 15 of my supporters were injured. I will file a case against those responsible,” he told Voice7 News.

Repeated attempts to reach Khokon Talukder for comment were unsuccessful as his phone remained switched off.

Former Jubo Dal Assistant General Secretary Asaduzzaman Palash condemned the violence, saying, “BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has made it clear that terrorists have no place in our party. For years, some individuals in Dashar and Kalkini have been committing extortion, tender manipulation, and violent activities in the name of BNP, damaging the party’s reputation. I demand that these criminals be expelled and brought to justice.”

Additional Superintendent of Police Chatak Chakma confirmed the incident, stating, “Both the OC and I were injured while trying to stop the clash. Several others were also hurt. Legal action will be taken against those responsible after investigation.”

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