Section 144 has been imposed by the Upazila administration in Shyamnagar, Satkhira, to prevent any untoward incidents as two BNP groups announced programs at the same venue.
The order will remain effective in the Shyamnagar municipal area from 4:00pm on Wednesday until further notice, as announced by Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Mosammat Roni Khatun.
According to the Upazila administration, one faction of the BNP announced a rally in front of the Krishak Dal office near MM Plaza in Shyamnagar on Wednesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, another faction of the BNP planned to hold a workshop and distribute leaflets on the party's 31-point agenda to reform the state structure at the same location and time.
As tensions rose between the two groups, Section 144 was imposed in the municipal area by the Upazila administration.
Local BNP leaders and activists revealed that on January 19, after 14 years, a 43-member convening committee for Shyamnagar Upazila BNP and a 33-member convening committee for Shyamnagar Municipality BNP were approved.
Since the announcement, there have been protests and counter-processions in favour of and against the committee in Shyamnagar, leading to heightened tensions.
On Tuesday, district BNP Member Secretary Abdul Alim dissolved both the previous and newly formed committees in Shyamnagar.
On Wednesday, the group led by Solaiman Kabir announced a "peace rally," while the group led by former president Abdul Wahed declared plans for a workshop and leaflet distribution on state structure reforms.
This caused further unrest throughout the municipal area.
Reports indicate clashes between the two BNP groups in various locations in Shyamnagar.
Shyamnagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mosammat Roni Khatun said that police and army personnel have been deployed to maintain order.
“Tensions arose between two groups of the political party. Section 144 remains in force in the Shyamnagar municipal area to prevent any untoward incidents,” she said.