4 injured as BNP-Jamaat clash over campaign obstruction

At least four people were injured in a clash between BNP and Jamaat supporters over allegations of obstructing Jamaat's campaign in Narayanganj's Araihazar upazila today (27 January).

The incident took place around noon in the Mollar Char area of Gopaldi municipality under the upazila.

Confirming the incident, Araihazar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Alauddin said police rushed to the spot after receiving information and brought the situation under control. "Legal action will be taken if any complaint is filed," he added.

The injured were identified as Araihazar municipal Shibir President Mehedi Hasan Arnab, 28, Araihazar upazila Shibir President Miraj Mahmud, 24, Shibir activist Shafin Ahmed, 23, and Jamaat activist Abbas Al Mahmud, 47. All were admitted to the Araihazar Upazila Health Complex.

According to locals, Jamaat-e-Islami's Narayanganj-2 constituency candidate Md Elias Mollah was campaigning with party activists when they reached the Mollar Char area. At that point, BNP activists obstructed them, leading to an argument that escalated into scuffles and clashes between supporters of the two sides.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Araihazar South Jamaat Ameer Hadiul Islam alleged that BNP activists first stopped Jamaat's female workers during door-to-door campaigning in Mollar Char village.

"When our candidate Elias Mollah and other leaders and activists went to the spot after receiving the information, they were also attacked," he said.

However, BNP activist Morshed denied the allegations, claiming Jamaat supporters initiated the confrontation. "We did not attack the leaders and activists of Jamaat. They attacked us first. There was no clash here."

Condemning the incident, Jamaat candidate Elias Mollah said such violence was undesirable and announced that a written complaint would be submitted to the authorities.