14 wounded in Faridpur BNP infighting: BNP-Jamaat clash in Sherpur left 1 dead, 30 injured
Staff Reporter :
One people killed and at least 30 people were injured on Wednesday in a clash between supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami and the BNP in Jhenaigati upazila of Sherpur. The deceased were identified as Jamaat’s Sreebordi upazila Secretary Rezaul Karim.
During the confrontation, six motorcycles were damaged, and over a hundred chairs were destroyed or set on fire. The incident erupted around 3 pm during a manifesto-reading programme organised by the upazila administration for rival candidates of the Sherpur-3 (Sreebardi-Jhenaigati) constituency at the Mini Stadium ground in Jhenaigati.
Leaders and activists from both Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP accused each other of instigating the violence. Several injured individuals were admitted to Jhenaigati Upazila Health Complex, while others received treatment at various clinics in Sherpur Sadar.
According to witnesses, the clash started over disagreements regarding seating arrangements during the programme. At one point, the venue descended into chaos, with chairs being thrown and multiple motorcycles vandalised and set ablaze.
Efforts to reach the Upazila Nirbahi Officer and the Officer-in-Charge of Jhenaigati Police Station were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, army personnel were deployed in the area to prevent further incidents.
BNP candidate Mahmudul Haque Rubel condemned the violence during a press conference held in Jhenaigati in the evening and called for strict action against those responsible.
Meanwhile, a clash occurred at a BNP candidate’s election rally in Bhanga, Faridpur, over a prolonged speech, leaving 14 people injured.
The incident took place on Wednesday (28 January) around noon in Bablatala village of Chumurdi Union, Bhanga Upazila.
According to police and local sources, Israfil Molla and Wadud Molla, Shahabuddin Molla, and Chan Mia group were previously involved in Awami League politics. On Tuesday (27 January) evening, in a formal ceremony at the BNP election rally of Faridpur-4 candidate Shahidul Islam Babul in Gangadharadi village of neighboring Gharua Union, they officially joined the BNP. During the rally, leaders from both sides gave speeches in the presence of Shahidul Islam Babul.
At that time, Israfil Molla delivered a long speech, which led to a young supporter of Wadud Molla, named Shahidul Islam Shanto, interrupting him. This immediately sparked an argument between them.
As a consequence, on Wednesday afternoon, an attack was carried out on Israfil Molla’s younger brother, Zakaria Molla, by the opposing group. Subsequently, a chase and counter-chase ensued between the two sides.
Several people, including Zakaria Molla (37), Zahid Molla (38), Lovely Begum (45), Zahid Molla (37), Yad Ali Molla (35), and Rajon Molla (22), were injured and taken to Bhanga Upazila Health Complex for treatment. Police from the local station later arrived and brought the situation under control.
Speaking from the hospital, injured Zakaria Molla, a BNP supporter, said that during the rally, his brother took some time to give a speech when a person named Shanto interrupted from behind with remarks. This led to an argument, and later he was attacked alone with a local weapon. “Our house was vandalized and looted,” he added.
Efforts to contact the opposing Wadud Molla group were unsuccessful. Calls to Faridpur-4 BNP nominee Shahidul Islam Babul also went unanswered.
Confirming the incident, Bhanga police station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdul Alim told Jago News that the clash occurred during a speech at a rally yesterday.
“Police were sent to the scene to restore order. So far, no complaints have been filed at the police station regarding this incident,” he said.