12 injured in BNP-Jamaat clash in Shariatpur over Facebook post

At least 12 people were injured in clashes between activists and supporters of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in the Bhojeshwar area of Naria upazila in Shariatpur today (27 January), following a dispute sparked by a Facebook post.

The clash broke out around noon in the Pachak area of Bhojeshwar, where rival groups chased each other and engaged in violence using sticks and batons, turning the locality into a battleground.

Naria Police Station Officer-in-Charge Bahar Mia said police and army personnel were deployed to bring the situation under control.

"An investigation is underway and legal action will be taken against those responsible," he said.

According to police and local sources, the incident was triggered after a Jamaat activist from the Bhojeshwar area posted on Facebook, alleging that a woman was campaigning to influence voters to cast a 'No' vote. The post led to an initial argument between BNP and Jamaat supporters, which later escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the clash, at least 12 people from both sides were injured as they attacked each other with sticks. On receiving information, police, the upazila administration, and members of the army rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. 

The injured were rescued and admitted to different hospitals, while additional police forces were deployed in the area.

Shariatpur Sadar Hospital Medical Officer Khandaker Rashed said the injured were admitted and given necessary treatment. "Most of them are out of danger," he added.

BNP leader and President of Jubo Dal's Bhojeshwar union unit, Mizan Shikder, who was injured in the clash and admitted to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, alleged that the violence began after a Jamaat activist mentioned his sister in a Facebook post.

"He wrote that my sister was campaigning in Bhojeshwar union to influence people to vote 'No'. My sister is a reserved female UP member. She was only informing TCB cardholders in the area about collecting their distributed food items," he said.

"When we went to Jamaat leaders to raise the issue, they attacked us and assaulted us. Around 10 to 13 of our leaders and activists were injured. We demand justice," he added.

On the other hand, the son of the Jamaat's Naria upazila ameer, who was also injured and hospitalised, claimed their group was attacked first.

"We had finished our election campaign in the market and were staying at my shop. One of our activists posted something on Facebook, which was not very important. But they entered the shop and threatened us. When I tried to record a video, they attacked us and beat us," he said.

Meanwhile, a tense calm prevails in the Bhojeshwar area following the violence, with local residents calling for strict action by the authorities to maintain peace and stability.