Reporter Name 
At least 30 individuals, including three police officers, were injured in a series of violent clashes between two rival factions of BNP in Faridpur’s Boalmari upazila on Friday afternoon, turning the area around Wapda Mor into a battleground.
Witnesses said the rival groups — one led by Khondaker Nasirul Islam, central vice-president of Krishak Dal, and the other by former upazila BNP joint secretary Shamsuddin Mia (known as Jhunu) — attacked each other with local weapons.
Both leaders are reportedly seeking BNP nomination for the upcoming national election from Faridpur-1 constituency, which covers Boalmari, Alfadanga, and Madhukhali. The party has yet to finalise its candidate for the seat.
The violence began when Shamsuddin’s supporters gathered near Wapda Mor and Nasirul’s group assembled at Kazi Sirajul Islam Mohila College intersection. Around 4 PM, the procession led by Nasirul’s supporters advanced toward Wapda Mor, triggering a confrontation between the two sides in front of Boalmari municipality office.
As the clashes intensified, Shamsuddin’s supporters retreated and took shelter near Harun Shopping Complex, where Nasirul’s followers later set fire to at least 11 motorcycles and vandalised several nearby shops. They also stormed Shamsuddin’s local office located on the ground floor of the complex.
Boalmari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tanvir Hasan Chowdhury, assistant commissioner (Land) Md Shibbir Ahmed, and officer-in-charge (OC) Mahmudul Hasan tried to intervene but were forced to withdraw amid the violence.
Fire service personnel who arrived to douse the flames also came under attack. For nearly half an hour, police took positions to protect themselves as violence raged.
Shamsuddin Mia later alleged that Nasirul’s group, “backed by Awami League men,” launched an unprovoked attack on his supporters, leaving 17 people injured.
Nasirul, however, denied the claim, saying his supporters were attacked first. “They threw bricks from the rooftop of the shopping complex, injuring several of our men. People became furious and retaliated,” he said.
Army personnel arrived at the scene around 5:30 PM to bring the situation under control, allowing firefighters to extinguish the blaze. Despite their presence, tension remained high between the rival factions.
Boalmari Police OC Mahmudul Hasan confirmed that three policemen were among the injured and said, “The situation is now under control after incidents of arson and vandalism.”
