Some 100 individuals including two policemen and a journalist were injured in a clash between two Awami League factions in Rangpur’s Mithapukur upazila on Friday as they tried to organize rallies to mark Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's birthday.
The clash between the groups, both armed with local weapons, lasted for two and a half hours from 4pm to 6:30pm.
As the conflict escalated, the entire upazila transformed into a battleground, disrupting traffic on the Rangpur-Dhaka highway and causing local shops to shutter.
Of those injured, 20 are reported to be in critical condition and have been admitted to the Mithapukur Upazila Health Complex.
According to police and locals, Mithapukur upazila unit Awami League General Secretary Jakir Hossain planned a rally under the Rangpur-Dhaka highway overpass, while Rangpur-5 MP Ashiqur Rahman's supporters organized another rally at the Mithapurkur Upazila Parishad Chattar.
Around 3pm, some 8,000-10,000 of Hossain's activists gathered at the upazila’s Eidgah ground. Near 4pm, as they approached the Upazila Parishad Chattar, clashes broke out with Rahman's supporters.
Initial attempts by Mithapukur police to pacify clashing Awami League factions were unsuccessful. They later fired tear gas and rubber bullets to control the situation. Additional riot police from Rangpur arrived to assist.
Jakir Hossain, also chairman of Mithapukur upazila, alleged that the police were biased, and aggressively charged at his activists.
He demanded the arrest of those responsible.
On the other hand, MP Ashiqur Rahman’s supporter Tutul accused Jakir Hossain of leading the attack on their peaceful rally.
Mithapukur police station Officer-in-Charge Mostafizur Rahman could not be reached for further comment.
Rangpur Superintendent of Police Md Ferdous Ali Chowdhury said the situation is now under control.