A clash between supporters of BNP and Gono Odhikar Parishad in Patuakhali’s Galachipa upazila last night resulted in injuries to at least 15 individuals, including a woman. The incident took place at around 9:00 pm in Charshiba village under Charkajol union, reportedly stemming from a dispute over the nomination of either BNP leader Hasan Mamun or Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur, also known as “VP Nur.”
The injured individuals from both factions were taken to the upazila health complex for treatment. According to local sources, Gono Odhikar Parishad held a meeting at Kupalbera Bazar the previous evening to establish a ward committee. Concurrently, BNP activists from Charkajol union organized a procession in observance of National Revolution and Solidarity Day.
Following the conclusion of both events, a confrontation occurred at Dakshin Kupalbera intersection between the two groups, leading to a heated argument regarding the leadership nomination for the upcoming national election. The verbal altercation escalated into a physical clash, resulting in injuries to at least 15 people.
One of the injured individuals, local Jubo Dal leader Ilias, alleged that they were ambushed by Gono Odhikar Parishad activists while heading home after their procession. Aminul Islam, vice-president of Dhaka North Jubo Odhikar Parishad and Nur’s brother, claimed that the BNP supporters instigated the violence against their group.
BNP leader Hasan Mamun stated that they were in the process of gathering information about the incident. Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Ashadur Rahman from Galachipa Police Station mentioned that law enforcement was swiftly dispatched to the area post-clash, emphasizing the historical animosity between the two rival factions due to previous disputes over local dominance.