The local administration of Bogra’s Nandigram upazila was compelled to enforce section 144 after two rival factions of BNP were locked in a clash over establishing dominance in the area yesterday.
The ban on gatherings was announced at 2pm yesterday with immediate effect.
Nandigram Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abhijeet Roy said the restriction would remain in effect until 10pm today at the upazila municipality to avert further violence.
According to police sources, the clash broke out after two rival BNP groups – one in support of local BNP religious affairs secretary, Fazle Rabbi Toha, and the other of lawmaker Mostafa Mukul – engaged in an altercation yesterday morning.
At one stage, the BNP activists blasted several crude bombs, forcing law enforcers to lob 21 rounds of tear gas shells and fire 45 rounds of rubber bullets, Shahjahan Ali, officer-in-charge of Nandigram police station, said.
The local BNP office was vandalised during the clash and festoons and banners carrying portraits of opposition chairperson, Khaleda Zia, were also torn down.
