At least eight people were injured in a clash between activists of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in Karnaphuli Upazila of Chittagong on Friday night.
The incident occurred around 10pm at the Fazilkhanr Hat area of Baro-uthan Union.
According to local residents and witnesses, Md Monjur, Joint Convener of Baro-uthan Union Krishak Dal, along with Jubo Dal workers Md Imon and Mohammad Faruk, had gone to a tea stall owned by a local Jamaat activist named Salahuddin.
An argument broke out between them and the shop owner over political issues, which later turned into a scuffle. Hearing the news, local leaders and activists of the BNP and Jamaat gathered at the spot with sticks, triggering a clash between the two sides.
The injured were identified as Shahedul Alam, Md Imon, Md Monjur, Mohammad Faruk, Mohammad Enam, Sazzad Hossain, Mohammad Salahuddin and Mohammad Abir.
Among them, four are leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate bodies, while the others are reportedly involved in the politics of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir. Shahedul Alam was admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, while the others received primary treatment at different local hospitals.
After the clash, leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate organisations brought out a procession in the Fazilkhair Hat area on the PAB road.
Police later went to the scene and brought the situation under control.
Jamaat-e-Islami Karnaphuli Upazila Youth Department Secretary Md Alamgir said their leaders and activists had been receiving threats since a BNP man was arrested with drugs by law enforcement agencies ahead of the election.
“In continuation of that, our activists were attacked and four of them were injured,” he said.
Upazila Jubo Dal Convener Nurul Islam said Jamaat activists carried out the attack over a dispute centring the election, leaving four of their men injured.
Md Jamal Uddin Chowdhury, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Karnaphuli Zone), stated that police have inspected the site and that necessary legal action will be taken following a thorough investigation.
