At least 20 people were injured in a clash between activists of Gono Odhikar Parishad and Jamaat-e-Islami in Kushtia city on Saturday.
The vehicle of lawmaker Mufti Amir Hamza was also vandalised during the violence.
The clash broke out around 6pm at Chhay Rastar Mor, following a protest rally by Gono Odhikar Parishad activists against remarks allegedly made by Amir Hamza about the party’s central president Nurul Haque Nur and General Secretary Rashed.
The protesters had begun the rally around 5:30pm and gave Amir Hamza a 12-hour deadline to apologise for his remarks.
As the rally was ending, Amir Hamza was returning home under police escort. His motorcade reached the area shortly afterwards, triggering an altercation between his supporters and Gono Odhikar Parishad activists, witnesses said.
Shariful Islam, an eyewitness, said several people carrying sticks got out of a vehicle as the motorcade approached the rally venue.
An argument and physical confrontation followed, which later escalated into chasing, counter-chasing and brickbat throwing.
The clashes continued intermittently for nearly an hour, during which the lawmaker’s vehicle was vandalised.
Police led by Faisal Mahmud, additional superintendent of police (Crime and Operations) in Kushtia, went to the scene and brought the situation under control.
However, tension resurfaced around Maghrib prayers, when a group of Jamaat activists allegedly carrying sticks went to the Gono Odhikar Parishad office and vandalised it, witnesses said.
Police later intervened.
Gono Odhikar Parishad Kushtia district General Secretary Abdul Khalek alleged that Jamaat activists provoked the protesters and launched the first attack.
“Our protest was peaceful. We were protesting Amir Hamza’s remarks about Nurul Haque Nur,” he said.
Nazmul Hossain, spokesperson for Amir Hamza, rejected the allegation.
He claimed that Gono Odhikar Parishad activists launched an attack on the lawmaker’s vehicle, damaging it and injuring 10 to 12 people.
Witness Rakib Hasan said tensions escalated soon after Amir Hamza’s motorcade arrived at Chhay Rastar Mor, with both sides chasing each other and throwing bricks and stones.
Local resident Russel said the situation initially calmed down after the first clash but flared up again when people gathered in the area during Maghrib prayers.
He alleged that several people carrying sticks later attacked the Gono Odhikar Parishad office.
Additional police have been deployed in the area and nearby areas following the incident.
Faisal Mahmud said police had been deployed at the location since the afternoon and quickly intervened after the two sides became involved in a physical confrontation.
“The situation is now normal, and law and order remain under control,” he said.
