At least 20 people were injured in a clash between activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami in Bhola’s Charfassion upazila on Monday, December 15.
The incident occurred around noon in the Chawkbazar area of Ward 9 under Jinnagar union, according to police and local sources.
Eyewitnesses said Jamaat-e-Islami activists had been carrying out election campaign activities in the area since morning. Tensions escalated following a verbal altercation between supporters of the two parties, which soon turned into chases and counter-chases, sparking violence and leaving at least 20 people from both sides injured.
Upon receiving information, police and navy personnel rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, said Charfassion Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jahangir Badsha. Additional police forces were later deployed in the area to prevent any further unrest.
Bhola district Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary Harun Or Rashid alleged that BNP activists attacked Jamaat leader Jamal Uddin while Jamaat supporters were campaigning for Bhola-4 constituency candidate Md Mostafa Kamal. He claimed that 10 to 15 Jamaat activists were injured, including some who were attacked while taking the injured to the Charfassion Upazila Health Complex.
Denying the allegation, former Charfassion upazila BNP general secretary Alamgir Maltia said Jamal Uddin made offensive remarks towards BNP activists, triggering the confrontation. He alleged that Jamaat supporters later attacked BNP activists, leaving five to ten people injured.
Jewel Saha Biswas/MHK