1 killed, 36 hurt in post-polls violence

At least one person was killed and 36 others injured in incidents of post-election violence across the country between Thursday night and yesterday evening, amid allegations of intra-party clashes, attacks by rival groups, and vandalism.

The lone fatality took place in Char Abdullah village under Sadar upazila of Munshiganj, where a young man was beaten during a clash between rival factions reportedly affiliated with the BNP.

Md Jasim Nayeb, 30, a supporter of independent candidate and expelled BNP district member secretary Md Mohiuddin, was critically injured in the violence yesterday afternoon and later died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital in the evening.

According to police, prior tensions between rival groups in the area escalated into a violent altercation over election-related issues. At one stage, Jasim was struck on the head with a sharp weapon, leaving him gravely injured.

Munshiganj Superintendent of Police Md Menhazul Alam said both factions involved in the clash were affiliated with the BNP, adding that legal action would be taken and those responsible arrested.

Jasim’s father, Mafiq Nayeb, and his brother, Mashiur Rahman, were also injured in the incident.

In Jhenaidah, at least 25 people were injured in five separate incidents involving clashes, vandalism of houses and election camps, and an attack on a press club office.

Two groups of BNP supporters clashed in Shrirampur village under Shailkupa upazila around 9:00am, leaving 12 people injured, said Shakil Ahmed, inspector (investigation) of Shailkupa Police Station.

Officer-in-Charge Md Jellal Hossain of Kaliganj Police Station said two separate incidents occurred between 11:00am and 11:30am, leaving seven people injured.

In Jhenaidah Sadar upazila, rival supporters attacked houses and clashed at three locations between 9:00am and 11:30am, injuring six people, said Md Sabbir, sub-inspector of Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station.

On Thursday night, unidentified attackers also vandalised the Maheshpur Press Club office.

In Patuakhali, at least five people were injured in separate incidents of violence between BNP and Jamaat activists.

In Khayer Bazar area under Bauphal upazila, Jamaat activists allegedly beat two BNP men around 8:00am, according to locals and police.

Around 9:15am, a local Jubo Dal leader allegedly attacked the business establishments of two Jamaat activists at Konokdia village under the same upazila. In retaliation, Jamaat activists attacked the house and office of a Jubo Dal leader and vandalised 10 motorbikes and furniture.

In another incident at Mominpur village around 10:00am, a BNP activist allegedly hacked a Jamaat man.

Three of the five injured were hospitalised, said Atikul Islam, inspector (investigation) of Bauphal Police Station.

In Dumki upazila of the district, miscreants vandalised seven rice-puffing stoves belonging to four Hindu families at South Pangashia village on Thursday night, hours after voting ended.

“We were watching election results on television when a group of miscreants attacked the stoves outside our house around 8:30pm,” said Fatik Saha, one of the victims.

Officer-in-Charge Md Selim Uddin of Dumki Police Station said legal action would be taken following investigation, while Deputy Commissioner Dr Mohammad Shahid Hossain Chowdhury said security measures had been taken for the affected families.

Separately, Jamaat activists allegedly attacked and vandalised the house of Bauphal upazila Jubo Dal leader Gazi Gias Uddin. Confirming the matter, Bauphal Police Station OC Siddiqur Rahman said the victim filed a case naming several Jamaat leaders as accused.

In Pabna-1 constituency, defeated BNP candidate Shamsur Rahman alleged that around a dozen of his supporters were attacked by supporters of the winning Jamaat candidate Mohammad Nazibur Rahman in at least three localities between Thursday night and Friday morning.

However, no complaint was filed with police, said OC Rafiqul Islam of Santhia Police Station.

Nazibur later held a courtesy meeting with Shamsur at the latter’s residence. A video of the meeting went viral on social media, showing Nazibur assuring BNP supporters that such incidents would not recur.

In Saltha upazila of Faridpur, three people were injured in a clash between two BNP factions, reportedly stemming from an argument over voting, said Officer-in-Charge Md Babulur Rahman Khan of Saltha Police Station.

Police and army personnel rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control. Legal action is underway, the OC added.

In Fulgazi upazila of Feni, a local Krishak Dal leader was expelled following an attack and vandalism at three shops belonging to a Jamaat leader.

The expelled leader, Md Sumon, 35, is general secretary of Munshirhat union Krishak Dal.

Officer-in-Charge Md Mizanur Rahman of Fulgazi Police Station said police visited the spot after receiving information and the matter is under investigation. Necessary steps will be taken based on the findings, he added.

[Our correspondents in respective districts contributed to this report]