Companiganj Al Infighting: Mirza’s rival held hrs after party warning

Hours after Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday warned of action against people involved in the deadly clashes in Noakhali's Companiganj, men in plainclothes picked up Mizanur Rahman Badal, the rival of Obaidul's brother Quader Mirza.

Badal is the organising secretary of the AL's Companiganj unit and also the former upazila chairman while Mirza is the mayor of Basurhat municipality.

Police initially claimed they did not know anything about Badal's detention. But Alamgir Hossain, the superintendent of police in Noakhali, told The Daily Star around 7:20pm yesterday that Badal had been arrested.

Badal went to Maijdee Court area around noon and he was picked up by men in plainclothes from near the Noakhali Press Club around 4:30pm, a family member told these correspondents.

IF ONLY OBAIDUL WANTS

Meanwhile, Mirza, the younger brother of AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, told The Daily Star yesterday that the violence in Basurhat would stop only if Obaidul Quader wanted it.

"If Obaidul Quader says 'no' today, there will be no violence here from tomorrow. I tell you, I don't know the reason behind his silence," Mirza said at his office in Basurhat yesterday.

Expressing no confidence in police investigation, he demanded a judicial probe.

Mirza claimed that local politics in Noakhali and Feni were at the hands of people involved in land grabbing, tender manipulation, and corruption.

There has been pressure from the MPs of Noakhali and Feni "to stop my voice against corruption. But I will not stop", he said.

He added that he went to meet Obaidul at his home in Dhaka in February, but Obaidul's wife did not allow him to meet his brother, citing coronavirus restrictions.

"Two days ago, I had a talk with the prime minister and she told me to stay calm. I am quiet now.

"On March 17, we will celebrate Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's birthday. Those miscreants may attack again," he said.

Late last night, a large number of policemen were seen around his Basurhat office.

Asked, the SP said the policemen were there for security reasons. He also said no case had been filed against Mirza.

Around 8:45pm, Mirza began a Facebook live and talked for 20 minutes.

"I am not happy that Badal has been arrested," Mirza said.

"Badal shot at me during the clash that day [Tuesday], and that bullet hit a boy of Chhatra League, who was next to me. He is now at a hospital in Dhaka… I can't say how the CNG driver Alauddin came here. I did not give arms to any of my leaders or activists. If I did, God would punish me."

He alleged that because of Obaidul, Noakhali district Awami League got the opportunity to engage in "bad politics".

"If I or my men are involved in the incidents, I will not object to any action the government takes."

Before getting arrested, Badal told The Daily Star yesterday that Mirza should be blamed for the recurring clashes. He claimed that his men were not involved in the attack on Mirza's men on Tuesday.

Both the groups chased each other, threw brick chunks, hurled crude bombs, and fired shots for over two hours, witnesses said.

At least 30 people, including six policemen, were injured. Twelve of them got shot.

The administration imposed section 144 in Basurhat for 18 hours on Wednesday.

The streets were relatively empty and only a few shops were open in Basurhat yesterday.

Over 300 members of law enforcement agencies were deployed in the Zero Point, Shaheed Minar, and Bangabandhu Chattar areas, police said.

Clashes between the supporters of Mirza and Badal in recent weeks left at least two people dead.

After the killing of journalist Muzakkir on February 19, four cases were filed accusing 142 named and 1,450 unnamed people.

Two of the cases filed by police are being investigated by the Detective Branch (DB), one is being probed by Companiganj police and the murder case is being investigated by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI).

The PBI on March 7 arrested a Jubo League activist in connection with the murder.

No one else had been arrested until Tuesday when another clash left auto-rickshaw driver Alauddin dead.

Police later picked up 28 people.

Had police acted promptly after the clash on February 19, the second clash might not have happened, residents of the area and local political leaders said, adding that the police might be under pressure.

The Noakhali SP said the police were not under any pressure and claimed that police took actions on time to prevent untoward situations.

About the use of firearms by the feuding groups, he said, "Raids are being conducted to recover illegal arms."

Meanwhile, Obaidul Quader yesterday said those involved in the Companiganj incidents would be arrested.

"No matter how influential the public representative is … no one will be spared if the person does not follow party discipline," he told a virtual conference of Akkelpur Upazila AL in Joypurhat.

AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has adopted a tough stance on party discipline, Quader said.