Seven injured in post-election clash between BNP factions in Shailakupa

Shailakupa Correspondent

At least seven people, including a police officer, were injured in a clash between two groups over control of Shailkupa in Jhenaidah. The incident took place on Monday afternoon in Barihuda village of Bogra union of the upazila.

Police and locals said that there was a dispute between supporters of Jamirul Islam and Rakibul Hasan Khan Dipur of Bogra Union over social dominance in the area. In the morning, Jamirul’s supporters went to the houses of Kalam and Salam and attacked them unexpectedly, injuring them. Later, people of Jamirul’s supporter Nasir Member retaliated, injuring a woman named Aklima, a supporter of Dipur.

When the police arrived at Barihuda village to detain Jamirul’s party leader Nasir, the angry crowd blocked the police. At one point, Sohel Rana, a police member of Hatfazilpur camp, was injured in the attack by the angry crowd. The injured have been admitted to Shailkupa and Jhenaidah hospitals.

Police and army have been deployed to maintain normalcy due to tension in the area.

Regarding the incident, Bogra Union BNP General Secretary Jamirul Islam said, “People from Dipur ambushed my supporters in Barihuda village in the morning. When the police tried to arrest my people instead of arresting them, the villagers got into a clash with the police. During this time, Kabir, an activist of Nasir Member of Barihuda village, was beaten by the police and is admitted to Jhenaidah Hospital after being injured.”

Upazila BNP vice-president and former Bogra Union chairman Rakibul Hasan Khan Dipu said, “I am not part of any faction. I demand exemplary punishment for those who indulged in clashes and attacked the police.”

Shailkupa Police Station OC (Investigation) Shakil Ahmed said that police have been deployed to maintain normalcy in the clash in Barihuda village. Preparations are underway to file a case.