Joypurhat: At least nine individuals were injured during a clash between the activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and those of an independent candidate in the West Gate area behind Joypurhat Government College. The confrontation occurred on Wednesday afternoon.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the injured include Al Hamza, 31, from Nagarkanda in Faridpur; Tanjid, 29, Sohag, 24, Rohan, 26, and Abdullah, 26, all from Faridpur district headquarters; Toufiq Hossain, 27, from Danejpur in Panchbibi upazila; Roman Hossain, 39, from the Tajur More area near Joypurhat Sugar Mill; and Rajib Hossain, 41, and Al Amin, 36, from Shantinagar Mohalla. The injured are currently receiving treatment at Joypurhat General Hospital.
Police, quoting local sources, reported that the clash erupted around 4:30 p.m. when Sabekun Nahar (Shikha), an independent candidate running with the horse symbol in the Joypurhat-1 (Sadar and Panchbibi) constituency, arrived at the Government College area with her supporters. An altercation arose with supporters of BNP-nominated candidate Masud Rana Pradhan, who is contesting with the paddy sheaf symbol.
Sabekun Nahar claimed she was heading to a booth at the college center with her relatives and supporters when activists of the paddy sheaf candidate stopped and harassed her at the college gate. Her supporters were attacked when they tried to intervene, resulting in several injuries, including to her brother-in-law.
Conversely, Mamunur Rashid Prodhan, the younger brother of BNP candidate Masud Rana Prodhan and the president of the district Chhatra Dal, alleged that the independent candidate had brought outsiders from Faridpur and was involved in vote buying. He stated that when local people and BNP activists attempted to stop her, her supporters attacked them, injuring several of their members.
Dr. Rashed Mubarak Jewel, the Superintendent of Joypurhat General Hospital, confirmed that the injured received primary treatment and are now out of danger. Anisur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Joypurhat Sadar Police Station, noted that no formal complaint has been filed yet regarding the incident.