Barguna, Feb 09, (V7N) – Violent clashes broke out between two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) over the control of the long-distance Unique Bus Counter in Amtali, Barguna. At least 11 people were injured in the incident, which occurred on Saturday afternoon at the Bot Tala area in Amtali Municipality. Following the confrontation, all bus counters in the area, including those for Dhaka and other destinations, were shut down for four hours. Police arrived at the scene to restore order.

According to police and local sources, the clashes began around noon between supporters of Shamshul Haque Chowkidar, a former councillor and member of the Youth Wing, and those aligned with Kabir Fakir, the head of the municipal BNP and Youth Wing. Both sides used machetes and sticks during the brawl. The violence spread across the area, from Bot Tala to the New Bazaar intersection, leaving the neighborhood in chaos. Fearful residents fled the scene, while shop owners closed their businesses for safety.

Additionally, a rice mill worker, Mosharaf Hossain, was reportedly attacked at Bandghat during the turmoil. After the conflict, over 100 long-distance buses from Amtali were forced to halt.

The injured individuals include: Farhad Fakir (32), Rahat Fakir (28), Mizanur Rahman Molla (48), Saiful Islam (38), Bayezid (30), Ali Hossain (32), Md. Isha (24), Limon Mridha (24), Shamshul Haque Chowkidar (46), Alamin Fakir (34), and Bellal (31). They were initially treated at the Amtali Hospital before eight individuals were transferred to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, and three others were sent to Patuakhali General Hospital.

Mizanur Rahman Molla, one of the injured, claimed that he was attacked with a machete by Shamshul Haque Chowkidar’s men while standing near the BRTA counter.

Shamshul Haque Chowkidar stated that the Unique Counter was rightfully his and that there had been two previous mediation meetings over the issue. He accused Kabir Fakir’s supporters of breaking into the counter and taking laptops and tickets late Friday night. He further claimed that his supporters were attacked when they tried to stop Kabir Fakir’s men from seizing the counter again on Saturday.

In contrast, Kabir Fakir denied these allegations, claiming the Unique Counter belonged to his faction, and that it was his supporters who had been running the counter. He said that Shamshul Haque Chowkidar had brought hired thugs to forcibly take control of the counters.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Amtali Police, Md. Ariful Islam, confirmed that the situation was now under control, and stated that appropriate action would be taken following an investigation if a case is filed.

END/AJ/RH/