4 injured in BNP-Jamaat clash in Ctg

At least four people have been injured during a violent clash between the activists of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Jungle Salimpur area under Salimpur Union in Chattogram's Sitakunda.

The incident occurred around 5:30pm yesterday (9 May) near SM Pilot High School in the area.

Confirming the incident, Sohel Rana, in-charge of Faujdarhat police outpost, said so far no case has been filed in connection with the incident.

He added that according to reports by the locals, blank shots were fired during the confrontation.

Upon receiving information, members from Sitakunda Police Station arrived at the scene shortly, rescued three injured Jamaat leaders and took them to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH).

Police also confirmed that one BNP activist was injured, although he was not found at the scene.

The three injured Jamaat activists were identified as Assistant Secretary of Jamaat's Sitakunda Upazila unit Kutub Uddin Shibli, Union leader Mohammad Ali, and Abdus Salam.

According to police and local sources, both BNP and Jamaat had scheduled separate political gatherings in close proximity.

Jamaat organised a protest meeting on the premises of SM Pilot High School to denounce an earlier attack on their leader and the school's headmaster, Shahidul Islam.

Meanwhile, BNP was holding a preparatory meeting at a nearby madrasa, where BNP Chairperson's Adviser Aslam Chowdhury was expected to attend.

Tensions escalated when members of the two groups encountered each other on their way to the respective venues. An argument broke out, which quickly turned into a physical altercation involving sticks and handmade weapons.