Campaign Clash Leaves 13 Injured in Naogaon

A violent confrontation between activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami has left at least 13 people injured in Naogaon’s Sadar upazila, highlighting renewed tensions during electioneering in the Naogaon-5 (Naogaon Sadar) constituency.

The clash occurred at around 5:00 pm on Tuesday (3 January) in Chak Gopai village under Hasnagarhi Union, while both parties were engaged in separate election campaigns. According to local residents, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and supporters were canvassing in favour of their electoral symbol, the scales, when an argument broke out with BNP and affiliated student wing activists. The verbal altercation quickly escalated into a physical confrontation, culminating in a wider clash between the two groups.

Both parties have offered conflicting accounts regarding the incident and the number of injured. BNP leaders claim that at least five of their activists were wounded, while Jamaat-e-Islami maintains that eight of its supporters sustained injuries. All injured individuals were reportedly taken to Naogaon General Hospital for treatment.

Hospital sources confirmed that the identities of five injured individuals were immediately available. They include Jamaat workers Hasan Pramanik (38) of Katkhair village, Zahid Hasan (25) from the same area, Mostafizur Rahman (58) of Hasnagarhi village, and Rustam Ali (40) of Chakrampur village. A BNP-affiliated Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activist, Rakib Hasan (20) of Chak Gopai village, was also among those hospitalised.

Rakib Hasan alleged that Jamaat activists were campaigning in his village when BNP supporters arrived at the scene. “We were taking photographs during the campaign. Jamaat activists objected and tried to stop us. An argument followed, and suddenly they attacked us,” he claimed from his hospital bed.

In contrast, Naogaon Sadar Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Abdul Rahim accused BNP activists of launching a premeditated assault. He stated that Jamaat supporters had been conducting door-to-door outreach across Hasnagarhi Union and that their candidate, ASM Sayem, was resting at a house in Chak Gopai after a campaign meeting. “BNP activists attacked him suddenly with metal pipes, intending to kill. Eight of our workers were injured and had to be hospitalised,” he alleged.

BNP candidate Jahidul Islam offered a different version, claiming that the incident stemmed from Jamaat activists’ alleged misbehaviour with local voters. “There was a dispute between villagers and Jamaat workers over their conduct. This later turned into a clash involving activists from both sides,” he said, adding that at least five BNP and Chhatra Dal members were injured.

Reported Injuries by Party

Local administration and law enforcement officials said they were monitoring the situation closely to prevent further violence. The incident underscores the fragile security environment surrounding election campaigns in the region, with residents calling for restraint and stronger enforcement of campaign codes of conduct to ensure a peaceful electoral process.