Prime accused among 8 arrested over Shariatpur AL factional clash

Eight individuals, including the prime accused, have been arrested in a case in connection with yesterday's violent clash between two factions of Awami League in Shariatpur's Zajira upazila, which involved the explosion of over a hundred locally-made crude bombs.

They were arrested in separate operations by members of Rapid Action Battalion and police.

Zajira Police Station's Sub-Inspector Sanjoy Kumar Das filed a case filed with against 88 named individuals and 800–1000 unidentified persons this morning Explosive Substances Act.

The clash erupted yesterday morning in Mulai Bepari Kandi and Durbadanga areas of Bilaspur union between supporters of the Bilaspur Union Parishad Chairman Kuddus Bepari and defeated chairman candidate Jalil Madbor.

Police have since been deployed in the area to maintain order.

Kuddus, the main accused of the case, is a member of the Zajira Upazila AL and the current chairman of Bilaspur Union Parishad. While Jalil Madbor is the former president of local Swechchhasebak League and a defeated chairman candidate.

Officer-in-Charge of Zajira Police Station, Dulal Akand, confirmed the details to The Daily Star.

He said seven individuals from both groups were arrested by police following the clash and explosions.

Meanwhile, a Rab team arrested the prime accused Kuddus Bepari from Dhaka.

Jalil is currently in the Shariatpur district jail, while Kuddus was recently released on bail in a case. Both of them have several cases against them, including charges of bomb explosions, assault, and murder, the OC said.

"The situation is currently under control. Police are conducting searches to ensure no hidden explosives remain. Legal action will be taken following a thorough investigation."

Law enforcement and intelligence teams are investigating the origin of the explosives and other materials used during the attack, he said.

Superintendent of Rab-8 (Madaripur), Mohammad Monir Hossain, confirmed Kuddus' arrest to The Daily Star at 12:30pm.

He said the arrest was carried out through a joint operation by Rab-8 and Rab-3. Kuddus was arrested around 1:00am from the Mominbagh area of Dhaka. He is currently in Rab custody.

According to local, and police sources, Kuddus is a supporter of Iqbal Hossain Apu, central member of the Awami League and incumbent MP from Shariatpur-1. Jalil Madbor is a supporter of BM Mozammel Haque, former MP of Shariatpur-1 and central organising secretary of the Awami League.

Several violent incidents have occurred in the Shariatpur-1 constituency in recent months due to rivalry between these two leaders. Yesterday's clash was one of many such confrontations.

According to police, locals and video footage, the enmity led to a series of skirmishes between the two factions throughout the morning in Mulai Bepari Kandi and Durbadanga. Over 100 crude bombs were detonated in a cinematic fashion. Around 16 people were injured by shrapnel from the explosions. Most of them left Zajira Upazila Health Complex after receiving initial treatment, fearing arrest.

Two individuals with serious injuries were transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital last night. One of them, 25-year-old Maruf, lost a wrist, while 55-year-old Hasan Munshi suffered multiple shrapnel wounds.

The Daily Star has obtained two viral video clips -- one 15 seconds and another 14 seconds long -- captured secretly during the incident.

In the first, three individuals in lungis and pants can be seen carrying red buckets containing locally-made crude bombs, while two others appear to be directing them forward. In the second video, several people are seen running with red buckets, pulling out cocktails and throwing them. Some of them were wearing helmets. The opposing group also retaliated with bombs. Multiple explosions are heard as both groups advance and retreat repeatedly, resembling scenes from a movie.

Superintendent of Police Mohammad Nazrul Islam told The Daily Star that many of the participants were relatives who had returned to the village for Eid. With both factions having more supporters present, they engaged in the clash as a show of strength. He added that such incidents have occurred in the upazila before.