At least 25 people were injured and several motorcycles vandalised in a clash between BNP and Jamaat activists in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat-1 constituency on Sunday, officials and locals said.
The clash took place in the Kasaitari area of Tongbhanga union in the afternoon during campaigning for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Police and locals said female activists of Jamaat candidate Anwarul Islam Raju were campaigning for the scale symbol in the area when they visited the house of a BNP worker, Barrister Hasan Rajib Pradhan, and were reportedly stopped. A dispute ensued, which escalated into a clash.
Both sides allegedly attacked each other with bricks and sticks, leaving at least 25 people injured and vandalising four to five motorcycles.
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Hatibandha Police Station, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel rushed to control the situation.
Returning Officer Deputy Commissioner HM Rakib Haider and Lalmonirhat Superintendent of Police Asaduzzaman also visited the site after receiving news of the incident and assured legal action.
Jamaat candidate Anwarul Islam Raju alleged that his female workers were campaigning peacefully when BNP supporters locked them in houses and beat them. “When our leaders and activists went to rescue the trapped workers, they were also beaten,” he added.
He mentioned that ten of his workers were injured, and several motorcycles vandalised.
“We will take legal action,” he said.
BNP candidate Barrister Hasan Rajib Pradhan denied the allegations, saying 15 of his workers were injured and claiming that Jamaat activists initiated the attack. “The opponent is trying to spoil the election atmosphere,” he alleged.
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Hatibandha Police Station OC Shahin Mohammad Aman Ullah said the clash was due to a campaign-related dispute and the situation was now under control. “So far, no written complaint has been filed by either side,” he said.
Lalmonirhat Police Superintendent Asaduzzaman said several people from both sides were injured in the brickbat attacks and legal action is being taken.