MOHAMMAD JAMIL KHAN and TOUSIF KAIUM

Violence has flared since campaigning began for the 13th national election on January 22, and police say arrests and cases alone will not be enough unless rival groups show restraint.

In the eight days from the start of official campaigning until yesterday, at least 19 incidents of clashes were reported across the country, according to media reports and data received from police.

A Jamaat upazila unit secretary was killed in clashes in Sherpur on Wednesday.

The incidents were triggered by local disputes, “offensive” comments on social media, and even quarrels over sitting on a chair, according to the information.

Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) said in a statement yesterday that, based on information it collected from October until yesterday, at least 981 people were injured and five were killed in 113 incidents of violence across the country linked to the upcoming national elections.

HRSS said that during the campaign period, candidates’ aggressive attitudes, the spread of hatred against opposition parties and other candidates, threats and intimidation, smear campaigns, falsehoods and hostile remarks are fuelling hostility and violence among party leaders, activists and supporters, which is not desirable in any way.

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