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At least 11 houses have been vandalised, three set on fire, and more than 500 crude bombs exploded during attacks in Shariatpur Sadar, allegedly triggered by a dispute over joining the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The incident took place around 11:00 pm on Friday in Chargayghar village of Shulpara Union, said Chikandi Police Outpost chief Md Golam Rasul.
According to locals, the violence followed the recent joining of Shulpara Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Mannan Khan Bhasani, a former Awami League leader, and 20 to 25 of his supporters into the BNP.
The move reportedly angered a rival BNP faction.
The joining took place on Jan 17 during a prayer gathering organised in memory of former prime minister Khaleda Zia at Shulpara School ground, attended by district BNP leaders including General Secretary Sardar AKM Nasir Uddin and BNP’s Shariatpur-1 nominee Said Ahmed Aslam.
Bhasani’s brother-in-law Md Tarek Mia said BNP supporters loyal to Advocate Helal Uddin Akon carried out the attacks using crude weapons, bombs and petrol.
He alleged that houses belonging to Bhasani and several others were looted and vandalised, followed by arson at three homes.
Victims claimed cash and gold ornaments worth around Tk 3 million were looted.
Bhasani’s nephew Masudur Rahman Khan alleged police initially responded but withdrew amid intense bombing.
His niece, schoolteacher Sonia Begum, said attackers damaged 12 to 13 houses and looted cash and gold, including 40 Bhori (approximately 466g) of ornaments.
Another victim Idris Khan said he had no prior political involvement but joined the BNP recently.
“Helal Akon’s men attacked 11 houses, including mine, and set three on fire,” he said.
Helal Akon, however, denied the allegations, blaming internal disputes between local BNP leaders and saying he was in Gopalganj due to a family bereavement.
Officer Golam Rasul said joint forces detained four people and recovered five crude bombs.
The incident is under investigation, he added.