Section 144 imposed in Shariatpur's Naria over tension between BNP factions

The upazila administration in Naria, Shariatpur has imposed Section 144 in the municipality from 10:00am to 11:00pm today after two factions of the local BNP announced protest programmes at the same venue.

Loudspeaker announcements were made throughout the day to alert residents, while additional police personnel were deployed at key points to maintain law and order.

At a press conference this afternoon, Naria Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Aminul Islam said the restriction became necessary after opposing BNP factions scheduled events simultaneously.

According to local administration and sources from the Water Development Board (WDB), Farid Ahmed Royal, general secretary of the local BNP unit, won a government auction to purchase approximately 10 crore cubic feet of sand stockpiled in the Charatra area, at a cost of Tk 5.88 crore. However, allegations have emerged that his group is operating around 30 dredger machines to extract sand directly from the riverbed, threatening the protective embankment.

The opposing faction, led by BNP National Executive Committee member Mahiuddin Ahmed Jhintu, Krishak Dal Central Vice-President Retired Colonel SM Faisal, and Kalabagan Mahila Dal President Shamima Zaman, organised protests on April 14, 15, and 16.

Tensions peaked today when Farid's faction announced a counter-protest. The administration swiftly imposed Section 144 to prevent any direct confrontation. Despite the restriction, the anti-Farid group held a protest meeting at the WDB's Sub-Divisional Engineer's office.

"We are protesting to protect the people from further erosion. But the UNO shut down our programme, clearly taking sides," Mahiuddin Jhintu told reporters.

Farid Ahmed Royal, however, denied any wrongdoing. Speaking over the phone, he said, "We are conducting legal sand extraction in accordance with the upazila administration's work order. The movement against us is politically motivated and benefits the Awami League."

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Naria Police Station Aslam Uddin confirmed the imposition of Section 144, saying, "Both BNP factions were preparing for a showdown. Police have been deployed to maintain peace and prevent violence."

Speaking on the risk of sand extraction from the riverbed, UNO Aminul Islam said, "A work order was issued to an individual to sell the dredged material stockpiled on the Padma riverbank. But reports suggest sand is also being extracted directly from the river. If this continues, the auction process will be cancelled."

WDB officials expressed grave concern, noting that between 2013 and 2018, over 25,000 families in Naria were displaced due to river erosion, which also damaged hospitals and critical infrastructure.

A 10-kilometre-long protective embankment was later constructed under a Tk 1,417 crore project. Fresh dredging activities, they fear, could trigger another wave of erosion.