A series of violent confrontations erupted between activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir in Rajarhat Upazila, Kurigram, on Sunday, 26 April 2026. The altercations, reportedly triggered by a dispute originating on the social media platform Facebook, resulted in at least six individuals from both political organisations sustaining injuries.
According to local reports and law enforcement officials, the hostilities occurred in two separate phases. The initial skirmish took place on Sunday morning in the Shantinagar area of the Upazila headquarters. Tension escalated further during the afternoon, leading to a second round of violence in the Hospital Para vicinity.
Casualties and Medical Intervention
The physical confrontations resulted in injuries to several local leaders and activists. Those identified from the Chhatra Dal faction include:
Rubel Patwary, the Convenor of the Rajarhat Upazila JCD committee.
Rakib, an activist.
Apon, an activist.
Injured individuals from the Chhatra Shibir faction have been identified as:
Sujan Mia, the President of the Rajarhat Upazila Shibir committee.
Mahin, an activist.
Shariful Islam, an activist.
Following the clashes, the injured parties were transported to the Rajarhat Upazila Health Complex for medical attention. Hospital officials confirmed that the victims were treated for a variety of injuries, including lacerations and blunt force trauma, with some reportedly suffering from significant head injuries sustained during the exchange.
Origins of the Dispute
The primary catalyst for the unrest appears to have been a digital dispute regarding sensitive political issues, including the implementation of referendum results and other regional matters. The disagreement intensified as members from both groups engaged in a cycle of provocative social media posts and counter-arguments.
Representatives of the Chhatra Dal alleged that the conflict originated from a disagreement regarding wall writings at the Government Mir Ismail Hossain Degree College. They claimed that Shibir leaders posted inflammatory content on Facebook concerning the matter. According to JCD activists, when they attempted to discuss these posts, a verbal argument turned violent, alleging that Shibir members initiated an assault and later mobilised additional supporters via social media for a secondary attack.
In contrast, Chhatra Shibir leadership presented an alternative narrative. They alleged that tensions began in Shantinagar when a senior leader of the Upazila Shramik Kalyan Federation was reportedly besieged or restricted by JCD activists. Shibir members claimed that when their Upazila President, Sujan Mia, arrived at the scene to intervene, he was physically attacked, resulting in a severe head injury.
Law Enforcement and Current Status
The Rajarhat police intervened to disperse the crowds and restore order to the affected areas. Mamunur Rashid, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Rajarhat Police Station, confirmed that the situation in the Upazila headquarters has been brought under control.
“The situation is currently stable and under police supervision. We are maintaining a presence in the area to prevent further escalations or reprisal attacks,” OC Rashid stated. He noted that while the police have received conflicting accounts from both groups, formal legal investigations will commence once written complaints are officially filed by the aggrieved parties.
As of Sunday evening, additional police personnel remain deployed in key sectors of Rajarhat to ensure public safety. Local residents have noted an atmosphere of apprehension in the Shantinagar and Hospital Para areas following the unrest. No formal arrests have been made at this stage, as authorities await official depositions to identify and proceed against the specific individuals involved in the violence. Coordination between the district administration and local political stakeholders continues in an effort to maintain long-term peace in the township.