Tensions have escalated in the Dashmina Upazila of Patuakhali-3 constituency following a violent clash between supporters of Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Huq Nur and independent candidate Hasan Mamun. The confrontation, which occurred late Monday night, left at least eight people injured and resulted in the ransacking of several campaign offices.
The Incident
The violence broke out around 8:00 PM at Pagla Bazar in Char Borhan Union. According to local sources, supporters of Nur (contesting with the ‘Truck’ symbol) and supporters of Hasan Mamun, an expelled BNP leader (contesting with the ‘Horse’ symbol), both took positions in the market to conduct processions.
What began as a standoff quickly turned into a physical altercation. Supporters from both sides reportedly used indigenous weapons and attacked each other’s electoral camps, leaving the market in a state of chaos.
Casualties and Injuries
At least eight individuals from both factions sustained injuries during the skirmish:
- Gono Odhikar Parishad (Nur’s side): Hasan Mahmud (Dashmina Chhatra Odhikar Parishad Secretary), Russel (Union General Secretary), Musa Dhali, and Bellal.
- Independent (Mamun’s side): Rakib Hossain (former Union Chhatra Dal President), Rifat, and Rafiq.
War of Words
The two candidates have traded blame over the initiation of the violence:
Hasan Mamun (Independent Candidate): “Witnessing my ‘mass wave’ of support, activists from Gono Odhikar Parishad and some individuals sold out for money are instigating these attacks. I am the candidate of the people, and the public will resist these miscreants.”
Nurul Huq Nur (Gono Odhikar Parishad President): “This is a staged drama by Hasan Mamun. By defying BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and running after being expelled, he has lost his footing. It was his men who chased our activists with local weapons.”
Security Concerns
Local residents expressed fear of further violence. Due to the remote nature of the Char Borhan area, the absence of regular law enforcement patrols has added to the anxiety.
Abu Sayed Md. Hasnain Parvez, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Dashmina Police Station, stated that police have been dispatched to the hospital to check on the injured. “Legal action will be taken once formal complaints are lodged,” he added.
