Dogged by internal feud for months, the Magura Awami League has finally split into two factions.

The division become public on Tuesday when the two rival factions brought out separate processions in the town protesting the August 21 grenade attack on party chief Sheikh Hasina's rally in Dhaka.

The processions were led by district AL convener Md. Altaf Hossain and local lawmaker Prof Md Serajul Akbar. The processionists paraded different streets in the town, carrying banners.

The internal feud in the party had surfaced in January when two rival factions led by Altaf Hossain and Prof Akbar clashed during party councils at several upazilas and unions as both wanted their men in leadership at different levels, party sources said.

At least 14 incidents of clash took place between the rival groups in the district in last several months, they said.

After the clashes, the party high command had summoned top leaders of the district AL to Dhaka to resolve the dispute.

At a meeting with the leaders at the party central office on March 8, party chief Sheikh Hasina asked them to work together and hold Magura district AL council on March 31. She had also threatened to dissolve the district convening committee for its failure.

But the party chief's order went unheeded. Both the rival groups again started holding meetings separately at different levels, intensifying the in-fighting.

Due to internal feud, committees of eight unions in Sreepur upazila could not be formed, which are

essential for hold the district council.

On Tuesday in the afternoon, Altaf Hossain arranged a 'mass procession' under the banner of Magura district AL. But Prof. Akbar arranged a separate procession under the banner of Magura pouro unit AL.

The division has frustrated dedicated leaders and activists, the party sources said.

"We never want to see a divided Awami League in Magura whereas leaders are doing so", said a dedicated mid-level leader of Magura Sadar upazila AL preferring anonymity.

When contacted, district AL Convener Altaf Hossain said, "Vested quarters in the party arranged the separate procession, avoiding the district AL programme to damage the party image."