A dispute over the formation of a new committee of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Cumilla city unit triggered a clash between two factions on Wednesday evening, with the car of city secretary Mahbubur Rahman vandalised and a cocktail exploding on the roof of the party office.
The incident took place at around 7pm at the party’s city office in Mogoltuli. Police from Kotwali Police Station rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control.
Party sources said differences among senior leaders over the new committee had been simmering for several days before the dispute erupted during a meeting at the office on Wednesday evening.
According to sources, tensions arose amid discussions that the incumbent secretary, Mahbubur Rahman, could become the city unit’s ameer. At one point, several members of the opposing faction allegedly vandalised his car outside the office. A cocktail also exploded on the roof of the building.
Several followers of Mahbubur alleged that the attack was carried out on the instructions of city unit naib-e-ameer Emdadul Haque Mamun. However, Mamun declined to make an on-camera comment.
Sources said Mahbubur contacted the officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station by phone at around 6:30pm. Joint general secretary Nasir Uddin and Dawah and Information Secretary Hossain, along with several others, were accused of involvement in the vandalism and explosion.
Nasir could not be reached for comment despite repeated phone calls.
Party sources said voting to form the new committee might have taken place later on Wednesday night. Mahbubur was allegedly inviting his supporters to attend the ongoing meeting, prompting anger among members of the opposing faction, who allegedly entered the office, vandalised his car and set off the explosive.
Asked about the incident, Cumilla city unit assistant secretary Mosharraf Hossain said, “This is our internal matter. We will brief the media. Our meeting is still underway.”
Mahbubur could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts to contact him.
Kotwali Police Station officer-in-charge Towhidul Anwar said he had heard about the incident and immediately sent police to the scene.
“Police are deployed there at the moment. Senior Jamaat leaders are inside,” he said.