Published : 30 Jul 2026, 05:02 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:28 AM
At least six people have been injured after a clash broke out between two rival factions of the local BNP in Melandaha, Jamalpur, over early campaigning for the upcoming Union Parishad (UP) elections.
The incident took place on Wednesday evening in the Char Gobindi Bazar area of Mahmudpur Union, where supporters of two prospective chairman candidates became involved in a violent confrontation, according to Melandaha Police Station chief ATM Mahmudul Haque.
According to local BNP leaders and police, Mahmudpur Union BNP President Tayebur Rahman and Melandaha Upazila BNP Joint General Secretary Nure Alam Talukder Runu have both been campaigning for the chairman's post ahead of the UP elections. Tensions had been brewing between their supporters for several days.
On Tuesday afternoon, supporters of Runu held an election campaign procession and public outreach programme before gathering at Char Gobindi Bazar, where they allegedly made provocative remarks directed at Tayebur. This sparked tensions, which soon escalated into a heated exchange between supporters of the two sides.
In protest against the incident, followers of Tayebur visited the market on Wednesday, where the two groups became involved in a clash, leaving at least six people injured. Police rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control.
The injured were identified as Shahidullah, organisational secretary of Ward No. 7 BNP in Mahmudpur Union; union BNP member Haji Abdus Sattar; former Union Jubo Dal president Altafur Rahman; Member Secretary Md Solaiman; Md Belal, brother of Ward BNP President Abul Kalam Azad; and BNP activist Zakir Hossain.
The injured were first taken to Melandaha Upazila Health Complex. As the condition of several of them deteriorated, they were later referred to Jamalpur General Hospital for advanced treatment.
Tayebur said, "I am currently in Dhaka. I heard about the unrest and immediately informed the police so that no further untoward incidents occur. I have instructed party leaders and activists to remain calm."
He alleged, "The situation became unstable because Runu Talukder and his supporters made provocative remarks."
Rejecting the allegation as false, Runu said, "On Tuesday night, my supporters, including Union BNP Organisational Secretary Zillur Rahman, were sitting at Char Gobindi Bazar. At that time, Ward BNP President Abul Kalam Azad and Jubo Dal leader Razzak allegedly arrived in an intoxicated state and began creating chaos, saying, 'No politics will be allowed here.'"
He added, "They were the ones who initiated the attack and the fighting yesterday (Tuesday). The incident occurred over the upcoming election."
Police Officer Mahmudul said that although tensions remain in the Gobindi Bazar area following the clash, the situation is now under control.
"We have learned that several people were injured in the clash. However, no written complaint has been filed so far. If a complaint is submitted, we will investigate the matter and take legal action accordingly."
