13 injured in BNP-Jamaat clash in Natore, 4 including BNP leader arrested

At least 13 people were injured in clashes between activists of the BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Natore's Baraigram upazila today (14 February), with police arresting four people, including a local BNP leader.

The violence erupted around 11am in Dhanaidaha village and continued until noon, following a verbal altercation over the 13th parliamentary election results. Most of the injured were reportedly Jamaat activists, reports Prothom Alo, citing local sources and police.

Local residents and officials at Baraigram Police Station said a verbal altercation broke out on Thursday night at Dhanaidaha Bazar between Jamaat activist Sakib Hossain and BNP activist Ratul Ahmed over the national election outcome. The argument reportedly escalated into a scuffle. A local arbitration meeting was scheduled for Friday morning to resolve the matter.

Around 11am, a group of 40–50 BNP activists led by Asaf Sarkar, president of BNP's Ward No 7 under Nagar union, was heading towards the market when they encountered Hasinur Rahman, ameer of the local Jamaat unit. BNP activists allegedly attacked him, leaving him critically injured.

Witnesses said Hasinur Rahman was struck with sharp weapons, including machetes, and collapsed on the spot. BNP activists later allegedly carried out vandalism at several homes of Jamaat supporters in Dhanaidaha East and West Para, damaging houses belonging to Chhanoar Hossain, Syed Ibrahim Hossain, Abdus Sobhan, Sirajul Islam, Masud Hossain and Hafizur Rahman.

In response, Jamaat supporters reportedly came out of their homes and hurled bricks at BNP activists, leading to further injuries. Among the injured were BNP leader Asaf Sarkar and Jamaat activists Syed Ibrahim Hossain, Rafiqul Islam and Raihan.

The injured were admitted to Baraigram Upazila Health Complex and a private clinic, Amena Hospital. Critically injured Hasinur Rahman was later transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Most of the others received treatment and returned home.

Natore Deputy Commissioner Asma Shaheen and the district's Superintendent of Police Abdul Wahab visited the scene and urged residents to remain calm.

The SP said police had brought the situation under control and arrested four individuals, including Asaf Sarkar. A case will be filed in connection with the incident.

As of 1:30pm today, shops in Dhanaidaha Bazar were found closed, with a heavy police presence deployed in the area. Police also reported extensive damage to several houses, including broken tin walls and ransacked household items.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident on Thursday afternoon, the house of former union parishad member Abdul Matin in Lalpur upazila was reportedly vandalised and looted. Matin, who supported a BNP rebel candidate in the recent election, alleged that supporters of BNP candidate Farzana Sharmin carried out the attack.

The accused denied the allegation, and police said the situation was brought under control.

Abdul Aziz, the newly elected BNP lawmaker from Natore-4 (Gurudaspur-Baraigram), said he had asked the administration to investigate the Dhanaidaha incident and take legal action against those responsible.

"If anyone from BNP is found involved, the party will not take responsibility for their actions," he said.