Narayanganj: At least 15 people were injured in a clash between two groups of BNP leaders and activists over control of a sand loading and unloading point near Kanchpur Bridge in Siddhirganj on Wednesday. The clash took place on the western bank of the Shitalakshya River in the Shimrail area from around 1:30 pm to 3 pm in two phases, witnesses said.
According to United News of Bangladesh, supporters of Narayanganj district BNP convener Prof Mamun Mahmud attempted to take control of the sand ghat after obtaining a sub-lease. At that time, leaders and activists of Swechchhasebak Dal, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal led by Siddhirganj thana Swechchhasebak Dal president Ripon Sarkar allegedly resisted them, triggering the clash. More than 300 people from both sides reportedly took part in the fighting with locally made weapons. The injured include Zahir, Nur Hossain, Nazrul, and Zia.
Security forces, including police, RAB-11, and the army, intervened to bring the situation under control. RAB also recovered a large number of locally made weapons and detained a man named Biplob, allegedly a close associate of Prof Mamun Mahmud. The sand ghat on the Shitalakshya riverbank was previously leased to former Dhaka South City Corporation ward councillor Mahmudul Hasan Polin. After the lease expired in 2021, Polin filed a case with the High Court, and as the case is pending, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has not issued a new lease.
Following recent political changes in the country, Polin left the area, and control of the ghat was reportedly taken by Kaisar Rifat, son of former Narayanganj BNP convener Gias Uddin. The group later voluntarily left the ghat after the 13th national election. BIWTA Joint Director Mostafizur Rahman stated that Polin remains the official leaseholder and the case over the lease is pending. Until resolved, the ghat is being operated by Polin’s nominated representative, who deposits government revenue monthly.
Ripon Sarkar alleged that Prof Mamun Mahmud attempted to take control of the ghat through his brother Russell Mahmud, supported by local criminal groups. Sarkar claimed their activists were attacked with local weapons when they tried to stop them and filed a written complaint with the police. Attempts to contact Prof Mamun Mahmud and his brother Russell Mahmud for comment were unsuccessful as their mobile phones went unanswered.
Mohammad Abdul Barik, Siddhirganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge, confirmed that police received information about the clash over the sand ghat. One group has filed a complaint, and legal action will be taken after investigation.