BNP Factions Clash at Rajshahi Police Station Over AL Leader's Release

Two factions of the Rajshahi BNP clashed inside Boalia police station on Saturday over the release of an Awami League (AL) leader, Abul Kalam, who was accused in a case related to the July Uprising last year, where he allegedly attacked protesters.

The altercation escalated when Abul Kalam reportedly kicked Alamin Sakar Titu, assistant organizing secretary of the Rajshahi divisional unit of Krishak Dal, who opposed his release. The incident, which took place in the afternoon, was captured on video and quickly went viral on social media.

Kalam, who previously served as president of both the Rajshahi Truck-Covered Van Owners’ Association and the Rajshahi Urea Fertilizer Dealers’ Association, had been involved in BNP politics before switching to the AL after the party came to power. On Saturday, police arrested Kalam at the Central Bus Truck Terminal in Rajshahi and brought him to Boalia police station.

As news of the arrest spread, BNP leaders and activists gathered outside the police station, with some attempting to lobby for Kalam's release. Titu, expressing his dismay, claimed that certain BNP leaders sought to secure Kalam's release through lobbying efforts. He alleged that Kalam kicked him after he confronted him in front of others inside the station. Titu further accused the BNP leaders of harassing him for opposing Kalam's release.

Zillur Rahman, former convenor of the Shah Makhdum police station unit of BNP, defended Kalam, calling him a "well-wisher" of the BNP, claiming that Kalam's relationship with the AL was solely for business purposes. Rahman also alleged that Kalam had been falsely implicated in the case to take control of the truck-covered owners' association.

Boalia police station’s officer-in-charge, Moshtak Ahmed, stated that the scuffle occurred when the accused was being escorted from the police station to court, and denied any lobbying for Kalam's release. He described the incident as unexpected but downplayed its significance.