BNP-Jamaat clash erupts in Mirpur

A clash erupted between local leaders and activists of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in Dhaka's Mirpur 60 Feet area this evening (20 January).

The incident took place in front of the Al Mobarak Mosque in the Pirerbagh area, adjacent to the 60 Feet road, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Mirpur division) Mainul Haque told The Business Standard.

According to locals and eyewitnesses, tensions flared after Maghrib prayers when Jamaat leaders and activists were allegedly attacked. 

Jamaat supporters claimed that around 16 of their members were injured in the clash, which involved chases and counter-chases between the two groups.

The clash reportedly broke out after Jamaat and BNP activists became involved in scuffles over the distribution of election campaign leaflets.

According to police, the situation escalated into a physical altercation. Law enforcement officials rushed to the spot and attempted to bring the situation under control, although tension persisted in the area for some time.

Mirpur Zone Assistant Police Commissioner Md Mizanur Rahman said that a scuffle had occurred and police were deployed at the scene to prevent further violence.

According to police, army assistance was sought to restore calm in the area.

Dhaka Metropolitan Jamaat's Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdur Rahman Musa told the media that the unrest stemmed from an earlier argument in Shewrapara, where BNP candidate Milton's wife was reportedly involved in a verbal altercation with Jamaat women activists.

He further claimed that Jamaat leaders and activists were later confined and assaulted while heading to a mosque for prayers in Pirerbagh, prompting other Jamaat members to rush to the scene.

"This led to a chase and counter-chase between activists of the two parties," he said.

Two Jamaat workers sustained injuries in the clash and were admitted to Ibn Sina Hospital in Kallyanpur, he added.

Comments from BNP activists in connection to this incident could not be obtained immediately.