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A violent clash has broken out in Hatibandha Upazila of Lalmonirhat between activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami amid election campaigning.
At least 15 people from both sides were injured in Sunday’s incident, and four to five motorcycles were damaged, spreading panic in the area.
According to Shahin Mohammad Aman Ullah, chief of Hatibandha Police, the incident occurred at Kasaitari of Tongvanga Union.
Locals said workers of Jamaat’s candidate Anwarul Islam Raju were campaigning under the “Weighing Scale” symbol.
When a few female Jamaat supporters went to the residence of BNP candidate Hasan Rajib Pradhan, they were allegedly blocked.
A verbal altercation escalated into a back-and-forth chase, eventually triggering a physical clash.
Stones, bricks, and sticks were used, resulting in injuries and property damage.
Police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and RAB personnel arrived at the scene and restored order.
Jamaat candidate Raju said, “Our female workers were attacked while campaigning peacefully. At least 10 of our supporters were injured and several motorcycles vandalised.”
BNP candidate Rajib denied the allegation, saying: “It was Jamaat’s workers who first attacked our supporters.”
Officer Shahin said, “The clash was election-related. The situation is now under control. No written complaints have been filed by either side so far.”
The site was later inspected by Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner HM Rokib Haydar and Lalmonirhat Superintendent of Police Asaduzzaman, who confirmed that necessary legal steps would be taken.