At least nine people from both sides were injured in a clash between leaders and activists of the BNP and an independent candidate in the West Gate area behind Joypurhat Government College on Wednesday afternoon.

The injured were identified as Al Hamza, 31, of Nagarkanda in Faridpur; Tanjid, 29, Sohag, 24, Rohan, 26, and Abdullah, 26, all from Faridpur district headquarters; Toufiq Hossain, 27, of Danejpur in Panchbibi upazila; Roman Hossain, 39, of Tajur More area adjacent to Joypurhat Sugar Mill; and Rajib Hossain, 41, and Al Amin, 36, of Shantinagar Mohalla. They are undergoing treatment at Joypurhat General Hospital.

Quoting locals, police said the clash broke out around 4:30pm when independent candidate Sabekun Nahar (Shikha), contesting with the horse symbol in the Joypurhat-1 (Sadar and Panchbibi) constituency, went to the Government College area with her supporters. An altercation ensued with supporters of BNP-nominated candidate Masud Rana Pradhan, who is contesting with the paddy sheaf symbol.

Sabekun Nahar alleged that while she was heading to visit a booth at the college centre with relatives and supporters, activists of the paddy sheaf candidate stopped and harassed her at the college gate. When her supporters intervened, they were attacked, leaving several people, including her brother-in-law, seriously injured.

However, Mamunur Rashid Prodhan, younger brother of BNP candidate Masud Rana Prodhan and president of the district Chhatra Dal, alleged that the independent candidate had brought outsiders from Faridpur and was involved in vote buying. When local people and BNP activists tried to stop her, her supporters attacked them, injuring several of their men.

Superintendent of Joypurhat General Hospital Dr Rashed Mubarak Jewel said the injured were given primary treatment and are now out of danger.

Anisur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Joypurhat Sadar Police Station, said he had heard about the incident but no complaint had been filed yet.