At least 12 people were injured in a clash between the supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami over electioneering at Dumur Icha village of Sadar upazila in Sirajganj on Monday night, January 27.
Among the injured are Moyeen Sheikh, son of Shohel Sheikh, Sakib, son of Anowar Hossain, Rifat Sheikh, son of Monu Sheikh, Khairul Sheikh, son of Fazlu Talukder, Himel, son of Nur Nabi and Himel, son of Hasen. All are the residents of the same village in the upazila.
Local sources said that a procession of BNP’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), was marching in the area when a Jamaat procession approached from the opposite direction. Tensions quickly escalated between the supporters of the two groups, leading to a clash. That left 12 people of the two groups injured.
Police later went to the spot and brought the situation under control, said Sirajganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shahidul Islam.
Several injured persons were taken to Sirajganj 250-bed General Hospital. The hospital's Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Shimul Talukder said six injured individuals sought treatment, three of whom were admitted, including one in critical condition.
Sirajganj District BNP General Secretary Saidur Rahman Bacchu accused Jamaat of launching a planned attack on their procession and attempting to destabilize the electoral environment, demanding the arrest of those responsible.
Denying the allegation, Sirajganj district Jamaat Assistant Secretary Shahidul Islam claimed that BNP activists initiated the violence by attacking their pre-scheduled procession from behind, forcing Jamaat supporters to act in self-defense.