A member of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) was fatally shot, and 15 others sustained injuries during a clash between two factions of Jubo Dal in Chattogram city early yesterday. The victim, identified as Md Sajjad, 22, was confirmed deceased by Bakalia Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Mozammel Haque. Sajjad was known to support Emdadul Haque Badsha, the expelled organizing secretary of the former city unit of Jubo Dal.
The altercation between Emdadul and former city unit JCD president Gazi Siraj Ullah erupted at 1:30 am in the Bagar Bilmukh area on Bakalia Access Road due to a dispute over tearing down banners, as per police and party sources. Inspector Mozammel Haque stated, “Sajjad was shot during the clash and was later pronounced dead at Chattogram Medical College Hospital.”
Tension escalated within the Jubo Dal community after local activist Md Jasim, a follower of Emdadul, was reportedly abducted and assaulted by Borhan Uddin and Nazrul Islam Sohel, who were supporters of Siraj. Borhan, previously involved in Awami League politics, recently displayed banners with images of Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Shahadat Hossain, sparking mixed reactions.
Jasim mentioned that Mayor Shahadat Hossain had instructed them to remove banners featuring “self-proclaimed leaders.” Following the directive, Jasim and others took down several banners, including one displaying photos of Shahadat, Siraj, and Borhan. Subsequently, Borhan and his associates allegedly abducted and attacked Jasim over the incident.
Party sources reported that Emdadul’s supporters rushed to rescue Jasim upon hearing about the abduction, leading to a confrontation on Bakalia Access Road where Sajjad was shot. Emdadul stated, “Borhan displayed banners featuring Siraj and others. When Mayor Shahadat ordered their removal, Borhan’s group abducted Jasim, resulting in gunfire when our team intervened.”
In response, Siraj clarified, “Borhan and Sohel are not associated with me. I am currently in Patiya for the upcoming election. Upon learning of their actions, I severed ties with them.” Sajjad’s mother, Farida Begum, expressed her anguish at the hospital, demanding justice for her son’s untimely death.