United News of Bangladesh

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the killing of a party leader during a clash in Jhenaigati upazila of Sherpur district on Wednesday. In a Facebook post on Wednesday night, Dr Shafiqur Rahman alleged that BNP supporters arrived late at a manifesto-unveiling programme organised by the Assistant Returning Officer of the Sherpur-3 constituency and occupied chairs, triggering an argument and subsequent scuffle. He claimed that BNP activists later attacked Jamaat supporters with homemade weapons. More than 50 Jamaat-e-Islami supporters were injured in the incident, he said, adding that three of them were in critical condition. Rezaul Karim, general secretary of the Sreebardi Upazila unit of Jamaat-e-Islami, succumbed to his injuries around 9:20 pm while being taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. Dr Shafiqur Rahman prayed for the deceased and sought speedy recovery of those who were seriously injured in the incident. He said people were now looking to law enforcement agencies to see how they would act, questioning what kind of “election gift” the nation would receive. Those involved in the killing must be arrested quickly and given exemplary punishment, he added, warning that the nation would not tolerate any delay. According to witnesses, the clash broke out around 3 pm over seating arrangements during the programme, leaving many injured. During the violence, six motorcycles and over 100 chairs were vandalised and set on fire. The programme was organised by the upazila administration for rival candidates of the Sherpur-3 (Sreebardi-Jhenaigati) constituency at the Mini Stadium ground in Jhenaigati. Leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and the BNP blamed each other for the incident.