Facebook Post Sparks Fierce Fight in Hajiganj

At least 15 people were injured in clashes between BNP and Jamaat-e Islami activists in Hajiganj upazila of Chandpur, reportedly triggered by a Facebook post by a local Jamaat leader. Police were deployed to restore order following the incident on Friday morning, October 3, in Palishara village.

Former upazila Jubo Dal member-secretary Kazi Jasim alleged that on Thursday night, October 2, Maulana Elias Hossain, Amir of Jamaat’s Gandharbapur Union No. 9 unit and Khatib of Palishara Shahmiran Mira Bari Jame Mosque, shared distorted images of BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and BNP leader Rumeen Farhana on his personal Facebook profile. “When our activists went to question him about it on Friday morning, Jamaat activists launched a sudden attack, leaving several of our people injured,” Jasim claimed.

Confirming the Facebook post, upazila Jamaat leader Maulana Mozammel Hossain Poran said, “The post was deleted on Thursday night. Maulana Elias Hossain even made another post apologising on his personal Facebook page. Still, the mosque committee had planned a meeting with him in the morning. At that time, BNP leader Nesar Ahmed and his followers attacked Elias. When Jamaat activists tried to socially resist the BNP attack, 10–12 of our members were injured.”

However, Hajiganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Mohiuddin Faruq said no formal complaint had been lodged. “If a complaint is filed, necessary action will be taken,” he stated.