Staff Correspondent, Narayanganj

Narayanganj seems to have become the name of a restless city. The dream of peace that citizens envisioned following the “July Revolution” is slowly fading. Daily reports emerge from various parts of the city about clashes over territorial control, extortion, and tender manipulation. Despite the presence of law enforcement, criminal elements appear to be acting with increasing impunity.

The internal conflict within the BNP is escalating tensions in Narayanganj’s political landscape. Struggles for dominance among party members have led to a series of violent incidents, including murders and open displays of firearms. Beatings and running street battles have become regular occurrences in different areas of Narayanganj. Individuals who once stood side by side in political movements and protests have suddenly become each other’s enemies.

The most alarming incident occurred in Hafazibagh of Bandar upazila, where a bloody clash over the control of an autorickshaw stand between two BNP factions claimed two lives. This double murder has become the most glaring example of the breakdown of law and order in Narayanganj.

At the heart of these incidents lies political patronage. Localized power struggles, internal party feuds, and weak administrative oversight have collectively enabled the rise of criminal elements, creating a constant atmosphere of fear for city residents.

Two Dead in One Night: On the night of June 21, within just a few hours, two people were beaten and hacked to death in Bandar over turf wars. Both deceased—Kuddus Mia (60), son of the late Sadek Ali from Hafazibagh, and Mehedi Hasan (42), son of the late Abdul Jalil Munshi from Shahi Mosque area—were affiliated with BNP politics. Both factions were followers of Abul Kawsar Asha, joint convener of the BNP’s city unit. Mehedi was a former joint convener of the Bandar Thana volunteer wing of the party.

Kuddus, a mason by profession, supported the rival group. Locally, one faction of the volunteer wing was led by Roni and Zafar, while the opposing side was led by Mehedi Hasan, Babu Sikder, "Gambler" Babu, and Shyamal. During the Awami League government's rule, they all belonged to one faction. However, after the regime change, they got embroiled in a struggle for party dominance. Ultimately, both factions were involved in the killings.

Three More Dead in Rupganj: On March 29, in the Chanpara Rehabilitation Center in Rupganj, a clash between the volunteer and youth wings of the BNP led to the death of Jubo Dal activist Md. Hasib (32). Three others were shot, and 20 were injured. On April 11, in Daudpur of Rupganj, another Jubo Dal activist, Shanto Sarkar (24), was killed over a business dispute. On the night of June 10, in Majhipara, Bhulta, Jubo Dal member Mamun Bhuiyan was killed while trying to free a local Chhatra League leader detained by locals. In each of these incidents, relatives of the deceased have blamed leaders and activists of BNP’s associate bodies.

Party and Police Response: Advocate Sakhawat Hossain Khan, convener of Narayanganj City BNP, said, “BNP does not condone terrorism. The people leading the incident in Bandar have no ties with BNP. They are acting out of personal interest, and the party is not responsible for this. I urge law enforcement to take action against those responsible.”

Professor Mamun Mahmud, convener of Narayanganj District BNP, stated, “Whenever such incidents occur, the party immediately takes organizational measures. Legal actions are also being pursued. BNP maintains zero tolerance toward all wrongdoing.”

Superintendent of Police Pratyush Kumar Mojumder said, “We take immediate action whenever an incident occurs. We don’t care which party someone belongs to. If someone commits a crime, we act. No criminal is being spared.”

Local Voices and Broader Context: A local resident of Bandar, requesting anonymity, said, “Autorickshaw stands are no longer for working-class people; they’re in the hands of armed political thugs. It’s hard to predict who will seize control or when gunfire will break out.”

Investigations across various neighborhoods reveal that this issue is not confined to Bandar. In areas such as Fatulla, Siddhirganj, Chashara, Kayempur, Tanbazar, and the banks of the Shitalakkhya River, extortion and tender manipulation syndicates are active. Each area has its own faction. Fights and gunfire are commonplace.

The political changes in July had raised hopes among the public for an end to instability. People believed that peaceful social order might be restored. But the opposite has occurred.