Post-poll violence leaves 35 injured in Bagerhat, two detained

At least 35 people were injured and two individuals detained in a series of post-election clashes, retaliatory attacks and incidents of vandalism across Bagerhat from Thursday night to Friday evening (13 February) following the end of vote counting.

Violence was reported in Bagerhat Sadar, Morrelganj, Sarankhola and Kachua upazilas, where at least 20 houses were reportedly vandalised and ransacked amid tensions between local leaders and activists of the BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

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

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

Houses vandalised in Bagerhat Sadar

In Mandra village under Bishnapur union of Bagerhat Sadar, houses belonging to five to six Jamaat members, including ward secretary Qari Molla and activists Jahangir Sheikh, Yakub Ali Howlader and Mashiur Rahman, were allegedly vandalised late Thursday night.

The victims claimed the attack was led by Mirajul Islam, general secretary of the local BNP unit.

In retaliation, the house of Mirajul Islam and those of seven to eight BNP activists were attacked the following morning. BNP leaders alleged that the counter-attack was carried out by Jamaat supporters Anwarul Howlader and Suman Howlader.

At least 35 people were injured and two individuals detained in a series of post-election clashes, retaliatory attacks and incidents of vandalism across Bagerhat. Photo: Collected

Members of a joint force later brought the situation under control and detained two suspects, identified as Imran and Tarek, from the area in connection with the incidents, according to police.

Extortion allegation and assault in Kachua

In Chandrapara area of Kachua upazila, supporters of a BNP candidate allegedly demanded Tk2 lakh from businessman Sheikh Abdus Salam, claiming the party's "sheaf of paddy" symbol had received fewer votes at a polling centre.

Salam's son alleged that two individuals, Shamim Sheikh and Amin Sheikh, assaulted his father with sticks after he told them he was not a voter at that centre.

In a separate incident at Gopalpur Shaheed Asad Smriti High School polling centre, three BNP activists – Asad Molla, Mosharaf Sheikh and Shafiq Mir – were injured in an attack allegedly carried out by supporters of independent candidate MAH Selim after results were announced.

Allegations in Morrelganj and Sarankhola

Md Abdul Alim, the winning candidate in the constituency, alleged that supporters of the defeated BNP candidate attacked and threatened Jamaat leaders and activists in Morrelganj and Sarankhola upazilas.

He claimed that at least 20 Jamaat activists were injured in different unions of the two upazilas and that business establishments were being locked for campaigning in favour of the "scales" symbol.

Abdul Alim urged the administration to take immediate action, warning that the situation could spiral out of control if steps were not taken promptly.

At least 35 people were injured and two individuals detained in a series of post-election clashes, retaliatory attacks and incidents of vandalism across Bagerhat. Photo: Collected

Of the district's four parliamentary seats, Jamaat candidates won Bagerhat-1, Bagerhat-2 and Bagerhat-4, while the BNP candidate secured victory in Bagerhat-3.

Bagerhat district Jamaat Ameer Md Rezaul Karim alleged that supporters of both defeated and victorious candidates were involved in violence, including assaults and vandalism.

"This is not desirable at all. We have asked our leaders and activists to remain restrained," he said, demanding strict action from law enforcement.

However, Bagerhat district BNP Convener ATM Akram Hossain Talim said the party had instructed its members to remain calm.

"The election is over and everyone has accepted the results. There is no reason for conflict. If anyone from our party is found involved, action will be taken," he said, urging the administration to act firmly in response to each incident.