BHOLA — At least 30 activists from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami were injured in two rounds of clashes over campaigning for the 13th parliamentary election in Charfasson upazila, with each side blaming the other, officials said.
Those seriously hurt were taken to the Charfasson Upazila Health Complex for treatment.
The first clash broke out around 12:30 p.m. Monday in Chakbazar in Ward 9 of Jinnagar union, police said.
According to local residents, Jamaat-e-Islami workers led by Ward 9 secretary Jamal Uddin had been canvassing for the party’s candidate since Monday morning when a heated argument broke out with a group of local BNP activists. The exchange escalated into a clash. A second clash followed as an ambulance was carrying injured Jamaat workers to the hospital. A joint security force led by an executive magistrate later brought the situation under control.
Maulana Kazi Harunur Rashid, Jamaat-e-Islami secretary for Bhola district, said BNP activists first attacked Jamal Uddin and seriously injured him while he was campaigning. “After receiving the news, our other workers informed the police and were rescuing the wounded for treatment when BNP activists attacked again on the way to the hospital,” he said. “Between 20 and 25 of our workers were injured in the assault. Those critically hurt are under treatment in the hospital.”
Rashid said the administration failed to play an effective role and that preparations were underway to file a case.
Alamgir Maltia, a former general secretary of Charfasson upazila BNP, denied the allegations.
Jahangir Badsha, officer-in-charge of Charfasson police station, said several people were injured in the clashes. “No party has yet filed a written complaint,” he said. “If a complaint is received, legal action will be taken following an investigation. The situation is currently under our control.”
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report