Over 65 injured, one killed in post-polls violence in Faridpur, Chandpur, Bagerhat and Natore

One person was killed and more than 65 others were injured in several incidents, including the post-polls violence and establishing supremacy, in Faridpur, Chandpur, Bagerhat and Natore districts.  

In Faridpur, at least 20 people were injured in a clash between residents of Saltha and Boalmari upazilas in Faridpur yesterday over establishing dominance at Moyendia Bazar, located along the border of the two upazilas. Identities of the injured could not be known.

Infograph: TBS

Mahmudul Hasan, assistant superintendent of police in the district, said law enforcers, including army members rushed to the spot after hearing the news and brought the situation under control.

"Several locally-made weapons were recovered from the spot after the clash, and a number of individuals were detained. Drives were on, and legal action would be taken against those responsible," he said.

According to locals, the violence stemmed from a long-standing dispute that escalated between supporters of Parameshwardi union parishad Chairman Mannan Matubbar of Boalmari and supporters of Tulu Mia and Jihad Mia from Khardiya village in Saltha, centring on territorial dominance.

In Chandpur, miscreants set fire to an office of the Awami League in Chandpur town on Friday night.

Foyez Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Chandpur Model Police Station, said the attackers torched the office located opposite to the official residence of Chandpur District Judge around 10pm.

The OC said they were looking for the incident.

Witnesses said black smoke was first seen billowing from the top of the building, with the fire originating on the second floor.

On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the scene and doused the fire.

In Bagerhat, a man was killed and 10 others were injured in a post-polls violence between the supporters of an independent candidate and the BNP-backed contender in Kachua upazila on Friday, Bagerhat Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Masum Khan said.   

Deceased Osman Sardar, 29, was the son of Shahjahan Sardar, from Paranowapara village in Bagerhat Sadar. He was a supporter of the independent candidate MAH Selim who contested with the Horse symbol.

According to the victim's family, violence broke out on Friday in Chitabari village of Dhopakhali union when supporters of the BNP candidate Sheikh Mohammad Zakir Hossain confronted supporters of the independent candidate.

However, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Sheikh Manjurul Haque Rahad won from the seat by a big margin.

Osman's elder brother, Enamul Kabir Sardar, alleged that BNP supporters were patrolling the area in search of the independent candidate's supporters.

"They argued with my brother and stabbed him on the head with a sharp weapon," he claimed.

Osman was first taken to Bagerhat Sadar Hospital before being transferred to Khulna as his condition worsened. He later breathed his last while undergoing treatment.  

In addition, at least 25 people were injured and two individuals detained in a series of post-polls clashes, retaliatory attacks and vandalism across the Bagerhat district from Thursday night to Friday evening.

At least 20 houses were vandalised during the clashes between activists of the BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The incidents took place in Bagerhat Sadar, Morrelganj, and Sarankhola upazilas.

Bagerhat Superintendent of Police Md Hasan Chowdhury said law enforcement agencies were responding to complaints.

"There have been incidents of vandalism and disorder. We have zero tolerance for crime and are conducting drives to arrest those involved," he said.

In Natore, at least 13 people were injured in clashes between the BNP and the Jamaat activists in Baraigram upazila of Natore yesterday.

Police detained four people, including a local BNP leader, in this connection.

The violence erupted around 11am in Dhanaidaha village and continued until noon, following an argument over the parliamentary election results. 

Most of the injured were reportedly Jamaat activists, according to local sources and police.

Officials and residents said the dispute began on Thursday night at Dhanaidaha Bazar when Jamaat activist Sakib Hossain and BNP activist Ratul Ahmed argued over the results. 

The argument reportedly escalated into a scuffle, prompting a local arbitration scheduled for Friday morning.

Around 11am, a group of 40–50 BNP activists, led by Asaf Sarkar, president of ward No. 7 BNP under Nagar union, was heading toward the market and encountered Hasinur Rahman, ameer of the local Jamaat unit.

BNP activists allegedly attacked him, leaving him critically injured.

Witnesses said the Jamaat leader was stabbed with sharp weapons, including machetes, leaving him critically injured.

Critically injured Hasinur Rahman was later transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, while most others received treatment and returned home.

BNP activists later allegedly vandalised several homes of Jamaat supporters in Dhanaidaha East and West Para. In response, Jamaat supporters reportedly 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 Amena Hospital. 

Natore Deputy Commissioner Asma Shaheen and Superintendent of Police Abdul Wahab visited the area, urging residents to remain calm. 

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

As of 1:30pm yesterday, shops in Dhanaidaha Bazar remained closed, with a heavy police presence. Authorities reported extensive damage to several houses, including broken house boundaries and ransacked household items.

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, a supporter of a BNP rebel candidate, alleged that supporters of BNP candidate Farzana Sharmin carried out the attack.

Abdul Aziz, BNP-backed MP-elect from Natore-4, said he had ordered 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 added.