FROM PAGE 1

On Wednesday afternoon, Rezaul Karim, 42, secretary of Jamaat’s Sreebardi upazila unit, was killed in a clash between activists of BNP and Jamaat in Jhenaigati upazila over taking the front-row seats at a programme at the Jhenaigati upazila Mini Stadium.

Over 50 people were also injured on both sides.

UNO Ashraful was scheduled to preside over the event.

The body of Rezaul was scheduled to be buried in his village home at Gopalkhilar villager in Sreebordi upazila yesterday night.Victim’s father Abdul Aziz said, “My son was very humble. Why was my son killed in such a way? He committed no crime, yet he was killed. I want a proper investigation and justice.” Neighbours also demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in the murder.

Abdur Rahim Dulal, convener of Sreebordi upazila BNP, said Rezaul was a good soul who lost his life to political violence, calling the incident shocking.

Expressing deep shock and sympathy for the bereaved family, Azharul Islam, ameer of Sreebordi upazila Jamaat, also demanded punishment for the killers.

Quoting doctors, Nazrul Islam, in-charge of police camp at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, said it was primarily known that the Jamaat leader died due to repeated blows to the head from blunt objects.

The actual cause of the death would be known after getting the post mortem report, he added.

Meanwhile, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, at a press briefing in its headquarters in Dhaka, said the electoral code of conduct clearly states that campaigns, including manifesto unveiling, must be held in a cordial environment. “Unfortunately, a tragic incident occurred there [Jhenaigati]. As part of administrative measures, the UNO and OC have been withdrawn.”

Meanwhile, the Jamaat-led 11-party electoral alliance yesterday alleged that members of the administration and law enforcement agencies remained inactive during the clashes, adding that the situation would not have escalated if timely action had been taken.

It also accused local BNP leaders and activists of instigating the violence and demanded an investigation into what it described as the “failure” of the upazila administration, calling for immediate remedial measures.

The allegations were made at a press conference held on behalf of the alliance at Jamaat’s central office in Dhaka’s Moghbazar.

Addressing the briefing, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and head of its central publicity department Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said the incident has dimmed the festive atmosphere ahead of the election.

However, Mahdi Amin, spokesperson for BNP Election Steering Committee, described the clash as “unwarranted” and called for a quick and impartial probe.

Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Election Office in Dhaka’s Gulshan, Mahdi said several questions need to be examined to determine how the incident unfolded and whether it could have been avoided.

“Why did one party occupy all the chairs before the scheduled time? Why were sticks and batons brought there? And why did that party’s candidate choose confrontation despite repeated requests?” he said, adding that these issues must be properly investigated.

Mahdi said the local administration organised the programme in Sherpur with the participation of all candidates, and seating arrangements had been allocated for each party.

He alleged that Jamaat leaders and activists occupied all the chairs and prevented BNP leaders and activists from sitting in their designated seats, despite repeated requests from the administration.

Mahdi said questions had naturally arisen over how the clash began, who was responsible, and why the administration and law enforcement agencies failed to keep the situation under control.

Referring to video clips circulating on social media, he said they showed repeated requests by police, administration officials, law enforcers, army personnel and even BNP leaders, asking the Jamaat candidate not to take a particular route.

“Despite that, he decided to go that way and was repeatedly heard saying, ‘Let life be lost if it must be.’”

Meanwhile, the government expressed deep concern over the violence, describing the loss of life as “completely unacceptable and deeply regrettable.”

In a statement, the chief adviser’s press wing said police have launched an investigation into the clashes and killing, and that all those involved would be brought to justice. Security in the district has also been beefed up.

With the national election just two weeks away, the government urged all political parties, including BNP and Jamaat, to demonstrate responsible leadership and ensure restraint among their supporters.

[Our Mymensingh correspondent contributed to this report]