Clashes Between BNP and Jamaat Supporters Leave 10 Injured in Noakhali

At least 10 activists from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami were injured in a series of clashes between supporters of the two political groups in Sirajpur Union of Companiganj upazila in Noakhali. A local BNP office was also reportedly vandalised during the violence.

The clashes took place from Friday evening until late at night on 31 July in the Dinar Dokan area of Ward No. 6 in the union. The incident sparked tension in the locality and required police intervention to bring the situation under control.

According to local residents and police sources, the confrontation was preceded by an existing dispute between supporters of the two sides. Tensions reportedly escalated after an alleged assault involving a Chhatra Dal activist. The situation subsequently deteriorated into physical clashes, with sporadic confrontations continuing for several hours.

Among those reportedly injured are Jubo Dal activists Anwar Hossain, 32, Ripon Mia, 27, and Faruk, 27. Osman, 24, president of the Islami Chhatra Shibir unit in Ward No. 8 of Sirajpur Union, and its general secretary Rifat, 25, were also reportedly injured. The identities of the other injured individuals were not immediately available.

Local sources said the latest tension was linked to an allegation that Mujahid, son of former Sirajpur Union chairman candidate and local Jamaat ameer Abul Hashem, had taken a Chhatra Dal activist to the grounds of Sirajpur PL Academy and assaulted him. The allegation quickly spread in the area, prompting heightened tensions between supporters of the two political camps.

The situation reportedly worsened later in the evening after news of the alleged assault circulated among local activists. At around 11pm, supporters of Jamaat and Chhatra Shibir allegedly went to a local BNP office and vandalised it. A fresh confrontation then broke out between the two groups, leaving several people injured.

The exact sequence of events remains unclear. It has not yet been independently established who initiated the violence, what precisely triggered the first confrontation, or who was responsible for the reported vandalism of the BNP office. Police have not yet received a formal written complaint from either side.

Companiganj Police Station officer-in-charge Mohammad Nurul Hakim said police were informed of the clashes and quickly reached the scene to restore order. He said no written complaint had been lodged at the police station as of the latest update. If a complaint is submitted, police will investigate the allegations and take legal action in accordance with the law, he said.

Police intervention eventually brought the situation under control, although tension reportedly remained in the area for some time. Law enforcement personnel have been maintaining vigilance to prevent any further deterioration of the local security situation.

The incident has also raised concern among residents, who fear that disputes between political activists could escalate into wider violence if not addressed promptly. Local people have called for restraint from all sides and urged political leaders and activists to resolve disputes through lawful and peaceful means.

As no formal investigation has yet been completed, the full circumstances surrounding the clashes remain to be established. Statements from the parties involved, any formal complaints and the findings of a police investigation are expected to clarify the cause of the confrontation and determine whether legal action should be taken against those responsible.