Twelve people were injured in a clash between BNP and Jamaat activists in Madhabpur village of Jhenaidah Sadar upazila on Friday afternoon.

Among the injured, six BNP members and one Jamaat activist were admitted to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital. BNP leader Taru Munsi, who was seriously injured, was sent to Dhaka for treatment.

According to Abdul Alim, investigating officer at the Betai Police Camp, Jamaat women activists had gathered at the house of Ohidul in Badhbapur village on Friday for talim (training). Seeing the gathering, Ward BNP president Ilyas Hossain asked for an explanation, which led to an argument and escalated into a clash between the two sides. Several activists and supporters from both BNP and Jamaat were injured in the violence.

Local BNP leader Shahjahan Ali alleged that Jamaat women attacked them with sticks, while male Jamaat supporters also joined the assault. He claimed that Jamaat activists Ohidul, Tabibur, Abdul Hamid Nilu, Monirul, Nasir, and Plabon had been lying in wait with sticks and launched the attack on BNP members.

After the clash, Jamaat supporters reportedly vandalized the BNP office in Ganna Union and damaged the homes of BNP leaders Shahjahan, Ilyas Hossain, Abul Kalam, and Taru Munsi. Abul Kalam, a leader of the BNP youth wing, said BNP members are currently unable to enter the village.

Jamaat’s Sadar Upazila Amir, Dr. Habibur Rahman, said their women were organizing an Iftar party, which BNP members tried to obstruct. In the ensuing violence, 5-6 Jamaat supporters were injured, including one who sustained a head injury. Dr. Habibur claimed that across the upazila, BNP members are interfering with Jamaat activities and threatening their leaders in Kumrabaria, Kastashagra, and Naldanga.

Jhenaidah Additional Superintendent of Police Sheikh Billal Hossain said extra police personnel have been deployed in Madhabpur village to prevent further clashes, and officers are patrolling the area.