A factional clash of BNP today foiled a conference of its Chittagong South District unit, a day into a meeting of its north unit was thwarted due to infighting.

At least fifteen leaders and activists were injured as two factions of BNP clashed during the conference at Patiya upazila in Chittagong this afternoon.

The followers of BNP Chittagong South District unit General Secretary Gazi Shajahan Jewel intercepted a procession led by the unit’s Vice-President (VP) Enamul Haque Enam entering into the meeting venue in Indrapul area, triggering the clash, reports our Chittagong staff correspondent quoting witnesses.

The clash ensued around 2:30pm while the chief guest of the programme BNP standing committee member Khandakar Mosharraf was entering at the venue.  Later, he left the venue, said eye witnesses.

The party activists also put barricade on the Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar highway and vandalised around 10 vehicles, said police.

Contacted, Mahbubur Rahman Shamim, organising secretary of BNP central committee, termed the incident as unacceptable. “We will investigate into the incident,” he added.

Yesterday, a meeting of BNP Chittagong North District unit was foiled due to infighting of the party activists on Nasimon Bhaban premises in Chittagong city.

The activists of two rival groups -- one loyal to BNP central Vice-Chairman Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury and another to North district unit Convener Aslam Chowdhury -- locked into a clash at 3:00pm, immediately before holding the meeting.