Clashes and gunfire break out between two factions of the BNP in Raozan

A Saudi expatriate BNP leader was kidnapped, assaulted, and ransomed in Raozan, Chittagong, triggering a violent clash, gunfire, and vandalism between the supporters of two rival BNP leaders. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon in Garib Ullahpara, located in the Bagowan Union of the upazila.

The abducted expatriate, Humayun Kabir, is a follower of BNP Central Council Vice Chairman Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury. Jubo Dal leader Arafat Mamun, who supports Chittagong North District BNP convener Golam Akbar Khandaker, and his associates are accused of kidnapping Humayun and demanding a ransom. This led to a confrontation between the followers of Gias Uddin Quader and Golam Akbar, resulting in gunfire and property damage. The rescued expatriate, Humayun Kabir, was admitted to the Upazila Health Complex, and some of the injured followers received first aid.

Eyewitnesses and police reports suggest that, in the afternoon, four auto-rickshaws and several motorcycles were used to abduct Humayun Kabir from his home in Islam Nagar village, Purba Gujra Union. Arafat Mamun and his followers, supporters of Golam Akbar, took him to Garib Ullahpara, a neighboring village, where they locked him in a house and physically assaulted him. The family was then demanded to pay a ransom. Upon hearing of the abduction, villagers and supporters of Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury arrived at Garib Ullahpara to rescue Humayun. This led to a shootout and the vandalization of Mamun’s office. Humayun was later rescued and taken to the hospital.

Humayun Kabir, in an interview with Prothom Alo, stated that he is the associate general secretary of Medina BNP in Saudi Arabia and had returned to Bangladesh a month ago. He said he was abducted by Arafat Mamun’s group and held captive because of his political affiliation with Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury. He claimed a ransom of 150,000 taka was demanded for his release and indicated that he would file a police case once he recovers.

Arafat Mamun denied the kidnapping, stating that the expatriate's relatives had called him over a land dispute. He claimed he was not involved in the abduction and accused his political opponents of fabricating the charges to politically discredit him. Mamun further alleged that 150 of Gias Uddin Quader Chowdhury’s supporters arrived in 15 auto-rickshaws, 4 microbuses, and several motorcycles, armed with weapons, and vandalized his office. He also claimed that four of his workers were injured in the gunfire.

Raozan Police Station Officer-in-Charge AKM Shafiqul Alam Chowdhury confirmed that a complaint regarding the kidnapping had been filed, and police had been dispatched to investigate. He mentioned hearing reports of the shooting, clashes, and attacks, but no formal complaints with precise details had been received. He assured that legal action would be taken against those responsible if a formal case was filed.