n the first five months of this year, from January to May, 33 people were killed in political violence and conflicts in the country. 27 of them are from Awami League. This account belongs to the organization Ain Salis Kendra (ASAC).
However, ASK did not include Awami League parliamentarian Anwarul Azim Anar, who was killed outside the country. If he is caught, the number of Awami League’s casualties in five months is 28. ASK’s report also said that there were 393 incidents of political conflict in the country in these five months. 3 thousand 224 people were injured in these conflicts.
On January 7, the 12th National Parliament election was held in the country. After that, the upazila parishad election was held. Among these, some municipal elections have also been held. BNP did not participate in the National Assembly and Upazila elections. The upazila election was not done on party symbols. Awami League leaders have also been able to become independent candidates in the National Parliament elections. As a result, in this election, most of the candidates were from Awami League. The same is true in upazila elections. As a result, out of 393 political violence incidents in the last five months, 201 were between supporters of Awami League and independent candidates. In fact, these conflicts have been between Awami League and the rival Awami League. And the killings were also due to internal conflicts. 90 percent of the remaining conflicts are also the result of Awami League conflicts at the local level.
The conflict between Awami League candidates and independent candidates of Awami League in the National Assembly elections can also be seen in the Upazila Parishad elections. And after the upazila elections, this conflict is increasing in the grassroots of Awami League. And in this conflict Ayami League parliamentarians, district and Trinamool leaders have been killed.
Three Awami League leaders were killed in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Narayanganj on Wednesday and Thursday. Ashraful Islam, general secretary of Bagha Upazila Awami League of Rajshahi, Abdus Salam, member of Zilla Parishad in Shibganj of Chapainawabganj and general secretary of Nayalavanga Union Awami League, and Suraj Mia, finance secretary of Kashipur Union Awami League, were hacked to death in Fatulla of Narayanganj.
After investigating at the local level, it has been revealed that there is a case of domination behind all the three murders. Those killings took place at the local level based on extortion, dominance of Balu Mahal and control of tenders. Due to conflict between Awami League vs Awami League. And the tension and division of the local Awami League is intensifying around these murders.
Farooq Faisal, executive director of the Center for Law and Arbitration (ACC), said, “In the 12th National Assembly elections, the conflicts in the grassroots of Awami League increased due to independent candidates. It is more evident in upazila elections.
According to him, there are dominance and economic interests behind it. And now that there is no political opponent in the field, they are becoming their own opponents.
On June 12, the son of an Awami League leader named Al Amin Khan (32) was killed in a clash between two groups of Awami League in Puranbazar of Chandpur city. Besides, 30 people were injured.
On June 26, four people were injured in a clash between two groups of Jubo League workers in Kadmatoli area of Dhaka.
On the same day, two groups of Awami League clashed in the ground of Munshikandi Government Primary School of Mollakandi Union of Sadar Upazila over dominance in Munshiganj and eight people including five were shot dead.
On June 27, at Shailkupa in Jhenaidah, at least eight people were injured in a clash between the two sides of Awami League over Meengram.
On June 24, two groups of Awami League clashed in Ghazaria, Munshiganj, and at least nine people were injured, including six people.
On June 23, two groups of Awami League clashed in Rajbari Pansha. On June 22, 30 people from both sides were injured in a clash between two groups of Awami League over the lease of a market in Netrokona Kalmakanda upazila.
On June 7, 15 people were injured in a clash between two groups of Upazila Awami League at Anwara in Chittagong to welcome the budget.
In connection with the killing of Member of Parliament Anwarul Azim Annar alias Mintu and District Awami League Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Kazi Kamal Ahmed alias Gas Babu was also arrested in connection with the killing of Member of Parliament Anwarul Azim Annar in Kolkata on May 13. As a result, the district Awami League’s conflict with gold smuggling is becoming clear in that murder.
Talking to Awami League leaders at various levels, it is clear that there is now massive grouping lobbying in the Awami League at the grassroots level. It has intensified after the last 12th National Assembly elections. Among those who were elected as independents in this election, at least 62 people are from Awami League. They are already strong yet they want to gain more strength. Because the defeated leaders nominated by Awami League are trying to corner the parliamentarian by keeping their party position. Besides, many people from other parties have joined Awami League in the last few years. They were nominated and elected. They also run separate groups. And every area has MP followers and their opposition group. This grouping has intensified in upazila elections. As a result, these groups are getting involved in conflict while dominating the grassroots.
Along with this, there are various types of extortion, usurpation, tender control at the local level.
Zakir Sardar, the Trinamool leader of the upazila Awami League of Barisal and the organizational secretary of the upazila Awami League, said, ‘We have various groups here. MP Group, Upazila Chairman Group, President Group. There is no end to the group. There are more new groups centered around the national parliament and upazila elections.
Awami League co-editor and Rajapur Upazila Awami League member of Jhalkathi Moniruzzaman Monir became an independent candidate in the January 7 elections. But later he withdrew the nomination. He said, ‘Now the amount of grouping that has started at the grassroots can cause a great danger for the party. They are shedding their own blood. Energy is waning.’
According to him, “All those who have been elected as independent members of the Ayami League in the parliamentary elections have now formed a new group. There are groups of people who have joined Awami League from outside. Again the central leaders also created their following groups in different areas. All in all, now the Trinamool Awami League grouping is upset. As a result, the conflict is becoming evident.’
When asked about everything, Awami League organizational member SM Kamal Hossain said, ‘Awami League is a big party and it is natural that there is competition here. However, grouping at the local level does not mean that some isolated cases do not occur. If someone violates organizational discipline, we take action as a team. And there are administration and law enforcement forces to see if any criminal offense occurs.’
According to him, Awami League is a united political party under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. And this is why Awami League is coming to power again and again. Awami League cannot be evaluated by an isolated incident.