BNP and Jamaat activists clashed and engaged in vandalism during an election campaign in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj, on Friday night, following a dispute over taking photographs near the BNP office.
The incident took place around 8:30pm, at Bakharoli Bazar in Binodpur Union, where Keramat Ali, the Jamaat candidate for the Chapainawabganj-1 parliamentary seat, was preparing for a campaign rally.
Moments before the rally commenced, an argument erupted between the two groups over the taking of photographs near the BNP office.
The dispute quickly escalated into a physical confrontation, with both sides engaged in a scuffle. During the commotion, more than 100 chairs set up for the rally were damaged.
Local police arrived swiftly at the scene and brought the situation under control. Despite the disruption, the Jamaat candidate was able to continue his rally, though under heavy police protection.
Keramat Ali, also the Ameer of the Rajshahi Metropolitan Jamaat, stated that he would file an official complaint with both the Returning Officer and Shibganj Police regarding the incident.
Maulana Sadikul Islam, director of Jamaat’s Election Campaign Committee, accused the BNP of carrying out the attack. “Seeing their inevitable defeat in this constituency, BNP’s activists launched an unprovoked attack, causing considerable damage to our property,” he claimed. “We demand a level playing field and a fair election.”
However, BNP’s Binodpur Union President, Mojibur Rahman, rejected the allegations, claiming the confrontation was sparked by a violation of electoral conduct by Jamaat workers.
“Jamaat supporters set up extra lights and were photographing our office, which led to the confrontation,” he explained.
Chapainawabganj’s Additional Police Superintendent, Wasim Firoz, confirmed that the incident involved a physical scuffle and vandalism linked to the photography dispute, but there were no reports of injuries.
“The situation is now under control, and if a formal complaint is filed, we will take appropriate legal action,” he added.
This incident follows another on January 21, when BNP supporters reportedly burned banners and posters of Jamaat’s candidate for Chapainawabganj-3, Nurul Islam Bulbul.
The repeated outbreaks of violence have fueled tensions in the area as the election draws near
