BNP Factions Clash in Harirampur Amid Explosives Recovery
Two opposing factions of the BNP staged counter-programs in Manikganj following a dispute over toll collection on the Padma River. Meanwhile, police recovered petrol bomb-making materials and a firecracker near the local police station.
Tensions escalated significantly in the Harirampur upazila of Manikganj district on August 24, 2026, as two rival factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) organized consecutive counter-programs. The volatile situation stemmed directly from a prior violent altercation involving the collection of channel tolls along the Padma River, plunging the local political landscape into a state of visible disarray and open confrontation.
During the height of the demonstrations, protesters aligned with one of the factions unleashed harsh verbal attacks, chanting the provocative slogan, "Hit Shaheen Molla on both cheeks with shoes to the rhythm." This demonstration was spearheaded by Billal Khan, who serves as the vice-president of the Dhulshura Union BNP, alongside local residents, who jointly staged a sweeping broom procession and a public human chain to register their vehement protests against their intra-party rivals.
In stark contrast, the opposing faction mobilized under the direct leadership of Molla Shahin, who holds the position of member secretary of the Upazila Jubo Dal. This group organized a separate, concurrent position-based program in the area, creating a tense atmosphere of competing demonstrations that heightened community anxiety and forced law enforcement agencies to maintain a close watch on the unfolding developments.
Amidst the escalating tensions between the two opposing political camps, law enforcement personnel stationed at the Harirampur police station made a critical discovery nearby. Authorities successfully recovered dangerous explosive-making materials, specifically four glass bottles equipped with wicks intended for use as petrol bombs, alongside a single firecracker, stoking fears of potential violence in the upazila.
Addressing the underlying motivations behind the unrest, local BNP figure Shafiq Biswas provided insight into the complex internal dynamics driving the conflict. According to Shafiq Biswas, one of the primary themes of the mobilization was framed around public messaging, noting that, "This procession was to free Harirampur from the Awami League members who are still lurking within the administration. This was the theme."
Furthermore, Shafiq Biswas elaborated on the deeper, underlying friction points within the local party apparatus and regional economy, stating explicitly, "All these things are there, committees will be formed in the future, then there is the issue of the Padma here—these are the main reasons." These overlapping disputes regarding party committees and river resources continue to fuel the rivalry within the Harirampur BNP.
