At least 20 people, including a candidate, were injured on Thursday in a series of clashes between supporters of the BNP and a rebel independent candidate in the Chandpur-4 (Faridganj) constituency.
The violence involved supporters of BNP candidate Md Harunur Rashid, contesting with the sheaf of paddy symbol, and rebel independent candidate M A Hannan, contesting with the shrimp symbol.
Following the clashes, a mobile court sentenced Abul Kashem (36) and Al Amin (26) to one month each in jail for violating the electoral code of conduct.
According to local sources, tensions escalated from Thursday afternoon until around 7:00pm in several areas of the upazila.
Four rounds of attacks were reported in the evening in the Khajuria Bazar and Rupsa Bazar areas adjacent to Sholdhana Government Primary School in Gupti union.
M A Hannan alleged that his vehicle was attacked with stones and vandalised, leaving him injured.
Others injured from his camp include former municipal mayor Manjil Hossain, Jubo Dal convener Zahirul Islam Patwari, BNP leaders Abul Kalam Azad, Jasim Patwari and Yusuf, Sramik Dal president Ali Hossain, and union BNP organising secretary Iqbal Hossain.
Hannan said the unrest began earlier in the Hogli area when supporters of the sheaf of paddy symbol brought out a procession near his courtyard meeting, creating tension.
Meanwhile, Rupsa North union BNP former general secretary Rabiul Imam Babu alleged that supporters of the shrimp symbol carried out indiscriminate attacks on sheaf of paddy activists at Rupsa Bazar, following earlier incidents in Gupti West union.
He said BNP activists Faruk (35), Ahidullah (40) and Shahadat Hossain (20) were injured, and urged the administration to arrest the identified attackers within 24 hours.
To bring the situation under control, the army, police and Border Guard Bangladesh were deployed under the leadership of Faridganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Setu Kumar Barua.
The UNO said cases would be filed if either party lodged formal complaints.
