BNP infighting claims 43 lives in 7 months
Since the fall of the Awami League regime in August last year, the BNP has been plagued by clashes between party factions, leading to the deaths of at least 43 leaders and activists.
Clashes occurred despite repeated warnings from the top leaders and calls for strict measures as the party began preparing to contest the next general election.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, addressing a meeting of grassroots leaders via a video link on February 27, urged them to refrain from infighting.
However, since then, five BNP men have been killed during clashes in Rajshahi, Narayanganj, Bhola, Sirajganj and Chuadanga.
The latest incident occurred on March 19, when two Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leaders and a Jubo Dal supporter were killed in Naryanganj, Sirajganj and Bhola.
The 43 killed since August 5 last year included 26 of the BNP, four of JCD, three of Jubo Dal, and the rest from BNP's affiliated organisations. A student and a rickshaw-puller also lost their lives in Chandpur and Rajshahi in violence related to rivalry between groups.
At least 2,000 BNP men were injured in around 200 incidents in 50 districts, according to an analysis of monthly reports of Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) and The Daily Star's findings from media reports.
For 16 years, my husband couldn't come home because he was accused in many cases, but he died at the hands of his own party men
In seven districts, local authorities had to impose section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure barring public gatherings. The army was also called in to restore order.
According to statements of the police and local leaders, the key factors behind the violence included dissatisfaction with committee posts and competition for control of local businesses.
The BNP has taken disciplinary action against more than 1,000 leaders and activists on charges including extortion, encroachment, and infighting. Over 400 of them have been expelled, while at least 20 have been suspended, according to data from the BNP's central office.
BNP leaders say the infightings are damaging the party's image, giving its opponents a weapon ahead of the national polls.
"We have taken strict measures, but we still we fear that such incidents will continue in the run-up to the general election," said a BNP standing committee member, who preferred anonymity.
Another standing committee member, Salahuddin Ahmed, questioned the credibility of the data on the deaths and injuries. Some incidents might have happened and those are undesirable, he said.
"Political rivalries do exist in a large political organisation. As the elections approach, this kind of competition and rivalry can be seen among the supporters of various candidates," he told The Daily Star recently.
BNP VS BNP
According to the data from ASK and media reports, nine BNP men were killed in August, 11 in September, one in October, six in November, six in December, three in January, three in February, and four until March 19.
Nearly 493 activists were injured in December and 491 in September. Clashes were reported at least 41 times in December and January each.
Rafiqul Islam, 50, a former organising secretary of Titudah Union BNP in Chuadanga, was killed, and six others were injured in a clash between two BNP factions on March 8.
Rafiqul owned a small shop, and his wife Nahida Kahtun worked at a local clinic. On March 9, Nahida filed a case, accusing 36 people, including the union BNP president and general secretary.
"I want justice from Tarique Rahman. I saw my husband get killed right in front of me. It happened in broad daylight with many people watching, and they even cheered after he died," Nahida said.
"For 16 years, my husband couldn't come home because he was accused in many cases, but he died at the hands of his own party men," she lamented.
After the incident, the local BNP expelled the union BNP president, general secretary, and joint general secretary.
Political analyst Prof Dilara Choudhury said that the BNP is not the only one responsible for such incidents, and the poor law and order situation in the country is to share the blame.
"The BNP is doing what it can, but the government also has a responsibility. What has the government done so far?" she asked.
TARIQUE'S DIRECTIVE IGNORED
In meetings on February 22 and 27, Tarique warned his party colleagues of strict action if they undermined party discipline.
Despite his directives, factional clashes broke out in eight districts, leading to the deaths of five party men and a rickshaw puller, and over 150 injured.
The rickshaw-puller, Golam Hossain, 48, died after being stabbed by BNP men who mistook him for a member of their opponent group in Rajshahi city's Dorikhorbona area on March 11, locals said.
"At the hospital, they first refused to admit him. I begged them to start treatment, but a female BNP leader told them not to. I pleaded with the police, with everyone. I told the doctor, 'Look at his face—he is not a criminal'. Only then did they admit him. If they had done it an hour earlier, he might have survived," Golam's wife Pori Banu said over the phone.
"I want justice, but where do I go? The police refused to take my complaint. We are poor—does justice exist for us?"
WHAT GRASSROOTS LEADERS SAY
Two BNP leaders were killed in factional clashes over dominance in Chuadanga in October last year and this month.
Contacted, Chuadanga's Darshana Upazila BNP President Abdul Hasnat said, "There are some evil people in the party who are committing these crimes defying party directives."
In Narsingdi, a Sramik Dal activist and a Jubo Dal activist were killed during clashes in December and January.
Narsingdi BNP Member Secretary Monjur Elahi said, "These incidents are not political. The party will not take responsibility for conflicts that arise from personal interests."
In January, the local administration imposed section 144 twice in Satkhira after at least 10 people were injured in BNP factional clashes.
Satkhira BNP Member Secretary Abu Zahid Dablu acknowledged that internal conflicts were a major challenge for the party as the election approached.
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