Tyres of the Pajero SUV of a BNP leader burning in front of BNP's Chittagong office during a scuffle between rival activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal over birthday celebration of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia Thursday. Photo: STAR

Rival activists of Chittagong city unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) Thursday locked in a scuffle over birthday celebration of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Those who took part in the clash are supporters of BNP's Chittagong city unit president Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and its general secretary Dr Shahadat Hossain, reports our correspondent in Chittagong.

The scuffle ensued when Khasru and Shahadat moved to cut the cake to celebrate Khaleda's birthday programme organised by the city unit of BNP at its office at Nasiman Bhaban at Kazir Dewry around 10:30am.

As both leaders approached the table, their supporters started chanting slogans creating a chaotic situation in the party office.

Khasru then rebuked all and asked to stop chanting slogans for any local leaders. He said they could chant slogans only for the party chairperson.

A chase and counter-chase began immediately after Khasru had left the office cutting the cake.

A cocktail was exploded and a group of people set fire to tyres of Shahadat's personal vehicle near the BNP office.

Shahadat's supporters doused the fire immediately, witnesses said.

While talking to The Daily Star Shahadat blamed Khasru for instigating the chaos.

“It was BNP’s programme and all associated organisations were earlier forbidden to join the programme with processions. But Khasru's supporters joined it with a procession of Jatiytabadi Juba Dal,” he said.

Condemning the scuffle, Khasru said, “Two rival groups of JCD scuffled after I had left the venue completing the programme.”