Clash over 'Joy Bangla' graffiti: Woman dies trying to protect son in Cox's Bazar

A woman died in Cox's Bazar's Ukhiya upazila after she allegedly came under attack while trying to save her son during a clash linked to a dispute over the writing of the slogan "Joy Bangla" on a wall, family members said.

The incident took place around 8pm yesterday (16 May) in the Taipalong area of Rajapalong union. The deceased was identified as Syeda Khatun, 55, wife of Sabbir Ahmed of the area. Her son, SM Imran alias Abdur Rahman, 32, was also injured.

According to Imran, a local NGO worker, a complaint had been filed around a week earlier by local Ward No 7 BNP President Abdul Karim over the writing of the slogan "Joy Bangla" beneath Chhatra Dal graffiti on a wall at Taipalong Madrasa. Imran said he was named as the 13th accused in the case.

He claimed that last night, while he was on his way to Taipalong Station and talking with his friend Mohammad Yunus, whom he described as a Chhatra League activist, a group of BNP and Chhatra Dal activists attacked them.

Imran alleged that when his mother, wife and younger sister came forward to protect him, they were also assaulted.

He said Syeda Khatun collapsed after being beaten with sticks during the attack. She was later taken to Ukhiya Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared her dead.

Imran denied having any involvement with the Awami League or Chhatra League and alleged that attempts were being made to harass him by linking him to Chhatra League politics.

Officer-in-Charge of Ukhiya Police Station Md Mujibur Rahman said police recovered the woman's body from the hospital and were investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

He said the body had been sent to Cox's Bazar District Sadar Hospital for an autopsy.

Ukhiya Upazila BNP President Sarwar Jahan Chowdhury declined to comment on the incident when contacted.