19 hurt in BNP–Jamaat clash in Bagerhat; one held with weapons

At least 19 leaders and activists of BNP and Jamaat were injured in a clash in Shoronkhola, Bagerhat, centering on the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

The injured were admitted to the Upazila Health Complex. Law enforcement agencies are working to bring the situation under control amid heightened tensions in the area.

The clash took place around 11:00 am on Thursday in Sonatola Village (Ward No. 1) under Southkhali Union of the upazila.

According to local leaders and activists, 15 Jamaat men, including Sabbir, Tarikul, Sobhan, Nazma, and Farid, were injured in the incident. Four BNP activists, including Rafiqul and Siddique, were also reported injured.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident at the same time, joint forces arrested a youth named Nahid with locally made weapons near the Bichat Government Primary School polling center in Kochua upazila.

Several weapons, including a machete (ramda), were recovered from his possession.

In another drive, joint forces recovered a large quantity of locally made weapons from a furniture shop in the Harikhali Kath-er Pol area under Sadar upazila. During the search, six sickles, three saws, three knives, one large hammer, and seven iron hammers were seized.

The authorities initially suspect that the weapons had been stockpiled for sabotage.

Bagerhat Superintendent of Police Hasan Chowdhury said that a zero-tolerance policy is being followed in dealing with crime.

“Anyone attempting to commit an offense will be brought under the law,” he stated.

District Administrator and Returning Officer Golam Md. Baten said that a clash did occur in Shoronkhola and that police are preparing to file a case.

He added that law enforcement agencies remain active to ensure peaceful voting.