9 injured in BNP-Jamaat clash in Natore

At least nine people from both sides have been injured in a clash between BNP and Jamaat activists in Baraigram, Natore. Among the injured are the Nagar union Jamaat Ameer and the president of the local ward BNP. Locals claimed to have heard several rounds of gunfire during the clash.

The incident occurred on Saturday morning, February 14, in the Dhanaidaha Bazar area of Nagar union in Baraigram upazila.

According to local sources, BNP activists beat up Jamaat activist Sabbir following a Facebook post on Friday evening. A mediation meeting was scheduled for Saturday morning at Dhanaidaha Bazar to resolve the incident. While heading to the mediation around 10:00 am, leaders and activists from both sides became involved in a clash. Subsequently, BNP activists allegedly vandalised the homes of several Jamaat activists including Sobahan Hossain, Rayhan and Ibrahim.

The injured include Nagar union Jamaat Ameer Maolana Hasinur Rahman, Rafiqul Islam, Ibrahim Khalil Syed, Saidul, Monir, Shakib, Sabbir, Nazma Khatun and Ashab Sarkar, president of ward 8 BNP. Hasinur Rahman and another critically injured person have been sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Others have been admitted to Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex in Pabna.

Maolana Abdul Hakim, former Jamaat candidate for the Natore-4 constituency, blamed BNP activists for the incident and demanded the immediate arrest of those involved. However, Shamsul Alam Roni, Joint Convener of Baraigram upazila BNP, denied the allegations, stating that those involved in the attack are not BNP members; it is a result of social or family disputes, not political.

District Commissioner and Returning Officer Asma Shahin and Superintendent of Police Abdul Wahab visited the spot after receiving news of the clash. The Superintendent of Police said that following a minor incident, arguments between the two sides escalated into a clash while heading to the mediation meeting. Later, law enforcement brought the situation under control and four people have been arrested in connection with the incident.