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**Jamalpur, August 19, 2025, 23:25** A faction of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Jamalpur district has called for a half-day strike to demand the cancellation of the party’s biennial conference. On Tuesday night around 8:30 PM, a torchlight procession was held in the Dayamoyee area of the city in support of the strike. During the protest, several explosions were heard, causing panic in the area. Eyewitnesses reported that the procession, led by former BNP district organizing secretary Shamim Ahmed, started from Bokultala and ended in the Dayamoyee area. Protesters set fire on the road and raised slogans demanding the cancellation of the conference. After a brief gathering, the procession moved back toward the main city. The group also issued a warning that the district BNP’s conference, scheduled for Saturday, would not be allowed to take place. The strike is set to occur from Wednesday morning to noon. When contacted, Shamim Ahmed stated, “As per the instructions of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, the conference must prioritize grassroots leaders and be organized through a convening committee or a conference preparation committee. However, these guidelines have not been followed here. We do not accept a conference organized by an expired district committee. A half-day strike has been called tomorrow to demand the cancellation of Saturday’s conference.” In response, Jamalpur district BNP president Faridul Kabir Talukdar (Shamim) told *Prothom Alo*, “The conference will proceed as scheduled. We are currently discussing today’s events with our leaders and workers. After discussions, we will decide on legal measures, but the conference will go ahead.” Jamalpur Sadar police station officer-in-charge Foysal M. Atik told *Prothom Alo* that the district BNP is expected to file a written complaint. “After receiving the complaint, we will investigate and take legal action accordingly,” he added. Notably, the biennial conference of the Jamalpur district BNP is scheduled for Saturday at a field in the Beltia area, where preparations are underway.
