Staff Reporter:
At least two people sustained bullet injuries during a clash between supporters of BNP and an independent candidate over election campaigning in Mollakandi area of Sadar upazila under Munshiganj-3 constituency on Saturday.
The attack and counter-attack took place in Munshikandi village of Mollakandi union in the afternoon.
Eyewitnesses said supporters of an independent candidate using the football symbol and district BNP member Ataur Rahman Mallick brought out a campaign procession in the Munshikandi area around noon. At that time, supporters of the sheaf of paddy symbol, led by Upazila BNP Joint General Secretary Ozir Ali and former union BNP leader Awlad Mollah, allegedly ambushed them. Soon after, supporters of both sides became engaged in a clash.
Eyewitnesses reported that cocktail explosions and gunshots were heard during the clash. Several people were injured during the clash.
Among the injured, Lijon Sarkar and Monir Hossain of Munshikandi village were initially treated at Munshiganj General Hospital and later referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Munshiganj Additional Superintendent of Police Mohammad Firoz Kabir said there had been a long-standing dispute between the two groups over local dominance, which resurfaced during the election campaign and led to the incident.
Additional police forces have been deployed in the area to prevent further violence.
Meanwhile, a video showing a man running through a potato field with a firearm during the incident has gone viral on social media.
Police said a drive is underway to arrest those involved in the clash.
