A woman was reportedly beaten to death while trying to protect her son from an assault by BNP and Chhatra Dal activists in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Saturday night.
Deceased Chhayda Begum, 45, was the mother of NGO worker SM Imran.
The incident occurred around 8pm in the Taipalong area of Rajapalong union, said Md Mujibur Rahman, officer‑in‑charge of Ukhiya Police Station.
Locals said tension had been simmering in the area for a week after “Joy Bangla” graffiti appeared on a wall of Taipalong Madrasa.
Local BNP leaders lodged a complaint with police, but no case was filed, leaving resentment between rival factions.
The situation escalated Saturday after Yunus, a youth linked to the banned Chhatra League (BCL), reportedly reacted with a “haha” emoji to a Facebook post by local Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader Hashem Shikder Jisan.
A group of youths allegedly detained and assaulted Yunus. When Imran intervened, he was also severely beaten.
Hearing of the attack, Chhayda rushed to rescue her son but was indiscriminately assaulted. She lost consciousness and was taken to Ukhiya Upazila Health Complex, where doctors pronounced her dead.
Later that night, JCD leader Jisan released a video message denying his family’s involvement and calling for a proper investigation.
OC Mujibur said the body was sent to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for autopsy. “We are examining how the death occurred. The situation is under control, and additional police have been deployed. Legal action will follow the investigation,” he added.
Police have taken BCL leader Yunus into custody, but no arrests over the assault had been made as of the latest reports.
