Post-election clash between BNP and Jamaat leaves 12 injured in Natore

Natore Correspondent:

A clash erupted between BNP and Jamaat activists over a Facebook post following the election, leaving at least 12 people injured, including the local Jamaat Amir and the Ward BNP President in Natore,. During the violence, Jamaat supporters’ homes were vandalized, and several rounds of gunfire were reportedly fired, according to locals.

The initial clash began on Saturday morning in Dhanaidah Bazar of Nagar Union and escalated again around noon. Most of the injured are reported to be Jamaat members. Six leaders’ homes were vandalized and looted during the violence. The clashes, which started around 11:00 am and continued until 12:00 pm, led to the arrest of four people, including a BNP leader. Additional police forces were deployed to bring the situation under control.

Among the injured, Jamaat leader Hasinur Rahman and one other were admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital in critical condition, while the others were taken to Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex in Pabna.

According to local sources and eyewitnesses, the conflict began Friday evening (13 February) when BNP activists assaulted local Jamaat worker Sabbir over a Facebook post. A reconciliation meeting between both parties’ leaders was scheduled for Saturday morning at Dhanaidah Bazar. However, tensions escalated en route to the meeting, leading to clashes including fistfights and physical assaults.

Around 11:00 am, 40-50 BNP activists, led by Ward President Asaf Sarkar, were heading to the reconciliation meeting when they encountered Jamaat Amir Hasinur Rahman. BNP activists attacked Hasinur with sticks and machetes, leaving him injured. Subsequently, BNP activists vandalized the homes of Jamaat supporters Chhanowar Hossain, Syed Ibrahim Hossain, Abdus Sobhan, Sirajul Islam, Masud Hossain, and Hafizur Rahman in Dhanaidah East and West areas.

Jamaat supporters retaliated by throwing bricks, injuring BNP leader Asaf Sarkar and at least 12 others, including Syed Ibrahim Hossain, Rafiqul Islam, and Raihan.

By noon, all shops in Dhanaidah Bazar were closed, with over fifty police officers stationed to maintain order.

Houses of Jamaat supporters were reportedly destroyed, with furniture, appliances, and personal belongings scattered and damaged. Locals claimed that gunfire and crude weapons were used during the clash, and looting occurred, including gold and cash.

A similar incident occurred Friday afternoon in Dhoroshola village of Lalpur Upazila, where the home of former UP member Abdul Matin, a supporter of BNP rebel candidate Taiful Islam, was vandalized and looted by supporters of BNP candidate Farzana Sharmin.